Ohio State Buckeyes freshman Jeremiah Smith sheds black stripe in record time

Ohio State freshman Jeremiah Smith lost his black stripe after just four practices

Chaminade-Madonna (Florida) five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith arrived in Columbus with immense expectations.

So far, the nation's No. 1 overall prospect and new Ohio State Buckeye is living up to the hype.

On Thursday, the 6-foot-3, 215-pound pass-catcher became the first player in Ohio State's 2024 recruiting class to lose his black stripe, shedding the newcomer label after just four spring practices:

The "black stripe tradition" was established by Urban Meyer in 2012.

Meyer had Ohio State newcomers practice with a black stripe on their helmets, and had it removed once the new players had proven themselves as hard-working members of the program. 

Smith's black stripe removal after just four practices is a new record for the program, breaking the previous mark held by class of 2023 wide receiver Carnell Tate (five practices), according to Buckeye Huddle. 

Overall, Ohio State's 2024 recruiting class finished No. 5 nationally.