There are three new “official Buckeyes” on the roster now as freshman punter Jesse Mirco, freshman defensive end JT Tuimoloau, and freshman running back Evan Pryor all lost their black stripes this weekend.

The Buckeyes practiced Friday and Saturday this weekend before getting a day off on Sunday.

Following Friday’s practice, director of player development (and former Buckeye safety) CJ Barnett called up Mirco, who came to Ohio State from Pro Kick Australia.

Mirco losing his black stripe is a positive sign for the freshman as reviews in the spring were mixed. Clearly, fall camp has gone better and continues to go well as Mirco has gotten adjusted to both Ohio State and America.

Saturday’s practice was the first of two scrimmages during fall camp for the Buckeyes, making it arguably the most important practice yet. After practice, Barnett called a pair of freshmen up to give them the good news.

The first was Tuimoloau, who is a relatively recent arrival, making it to campus just last month. The rookie from Washington has wasted no time in getting acclimated, however, losing his black stripe in just 10 practices.

Tuimoloau was a five-star prospect and is arguably the top freshman in the nation. The even better news for Ohio State is that they have several other players who could make the very same claim this year.

Following Tuimoloau, it was North Carolina running back Evan Pryor’s turn. According to Buckeye Scoop intel, Pryor has gotten better and better as camp has gone on and is really starting to find his footing. He may still be running fifth in line at running back, but he is going to see the field this year because he’s too explosive not to.

Pryor is now the tenth member of the Buckeyes’ 2021 recruiting class to lose his black stripe.

The players still sporting their black stripes are receiver Jayden Ballard, tight end Sam Hart, offensive linemen Zen Michalski, Ben Christman, and Donovan Jackson, defensive tackles Tyleik Williams and Mike Hall, and defensive backs JK Johnson, Jordan Hancock, Andre Turrentine, Jaylen Johnson, and Jantzen Dunn.

Also, now that quarterback Quinn Ewers has reclassified and is on campus, when he takes the practice field for the first time — likely on Monday — he will also be decked out in a black stripe.

Ohio State Black Stripe Leaderboard

DL Jacolbe Cowan (redshirt freshman) – April 2
WR Marvin Harrison – April 6
DE Jack Sawyer – April 6
RB TreVeyon Henderson – April 10
WR Emeka Egbuka – April 13
LB Reid Carrico – April 13
CB Denzel Burke – August 7
QB Kyle McCord – August 12
P Jesse Mirco – August 13
DE JT Tuimoloau – August 14
RB Evan Pryor – August 14

[Jesse Mirco, JT Tuimoloau, and Evan Pryor photo courtesy of the Ohio State dept of athletics.)

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