COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State announced the removal of linebacker TJ Alford’s black stripe on September 17, marking the 22nd player to earn Buckeye status this season officially. The “black stripe” tradition, introduced by the OG Urban Meyer in 2012, requires all newcomers — freshmen, transfers and walk-ons — to wear black tape across their Buckeye helmet stripe until they prove themselves in practice and games. You can’t officially be a Buckeye until that black stripe comes off.

On Wednesday, Alford, a four-star linebacker from Florida, became the 12th member of Ohio State’s freshman class to shed his stripe this fall. He saw legit action in the Buckeyes’ first 2 wins over Grambling State and Ohio, racking up three tackles and one tackle for loss. He joined freshman linebacker Riley Pettijohn as the second player at the position to complete the process this season.

In total, 7 players had their stripes removed in the spring, including redshirt freshmen Miles Lockhart, Dominic Kirks, Simon Lorentz and Eric Mensah, transfers Max Klare and Ethan Onianwa and freshman Quincy Porter. Fifteen more followed during fall practice and the season’s early weeks, pushing the tally past 20 before the Big Ten schedule begins.

This pace now puts Day’s program on track to surpass Meyer’s single-season record of 32 removals in 2018. That year, Ohio State went 13-1 in Meyer’s final season, with names like Tommy Togiai, Dallas Gant, Master Teague, Tyreke Smith, and Josh Proctor earning their stripes along the way. The class was one of the most impactful in recent Buckeye history, and the record-setting number of stripe removals reflected how quickly young players contributed.

Day has leaned into the tradition as both a motivational tool and a benchmark for development. The early-season surge — with more than 20 players already recognized — signals the roster’s depth and the staff’s willingness to reward progress. With Big Ten play creeping in, the next wave of freshmen and transfers could push the 2025 total past the all-time mark before October.

Ohio State sits at 3-0 and is expected to remain among the national contenders as the season progresses. For Day, the black stripe count has become another data point in measuring how quickly his players adapt to Buckeye football’s demands.