COLUMBUS, Ohio — Glenville’s Devan Bogard was the first freshman to lose his stripe, so it’s no surprise that the safety is one of the new guys whom Ohio State coach Urban Meyer is most eager to see on Saturday. He’s one of several true freshmen who should play for the Buckeyes in the opener against Miami (Ohio).
From the start, Meyer has viewed redshirting as a fallback position, not something he plans on for his first-year players. Coming back from injuries will likely force Buckeyes such as offensive linemen Kyle Dodson and Joey O’Connor and running back Warren Ball to go that route.
For nearly every other freshman, the opportunity to get onto the field is there — as long as they can get that darn black stripe off their helmet.
Meyer’s rite of passage, in which freshmen start with a black stripe and then have it removed when they have proved themselves in practice, is one way to gauge which players have a chance to see some action.
Continue Reading: Ohio State freshman football players make mark by losing stripe
