Who’s next? Ranking the five freshmen most likely to lose their black stripe at Ohio State
From elite wide receiver talent to rising defensive playmakers, Ohio State’s next wave of freshmen is already pushing for trust, and Chris Henry Jr. and Jay Timmons may be closest to earning it.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) runs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images At Ohio State, losing your black stripe is more than a symbolic moment.
It is a signal. It means a freshman has earned trust. It means the staff believes he can handle the standard, the speed, and the expectations of the program.
And more often than not, it is an early indicator of who is pushing for real playing time. This spring has already seen movement, but there are still several high-profile freshmen trending toward that moment. Based on early reports, positional opportunity, and long-term upside, here are the five most likely Buckeyes to lose their black stripe next.
1. Chris Henry Jr. , wide receiver If there is a “when, not if” candidate in this class, it is Chris Henry Jr..
Continue to the original source for the full article.