Eric Boggs
As Ohio State ramps up fall camp in preparation for the 2025 season, several new faces have wasted no time making their presence felt. The Buckeyes’ black stripe tradition—a rite of passage signifying full team membership—has begun to claim its first victims of the new year. From elite freshmen to seasoned transfers, players like Riley Pettijohn, Nate Roberts, CJ Donaldson, and Devin Sanchez are already carving out their place in Columbus, and their early progress has Buckeye fans buzzing.
Few freshmen have generated more early momentum than linebacker Riley Pettijohn. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Texan was the second-highest rated linebacker in the 2025 recruiting class and has quickly shown why. After an eye-opening spring and a strong start to fall, Pettijohn became one of the first two Buckeyes to lose his black stripe. “I think I can do a little bit of everything,” Pettijohn said in the spring. “I can cover, I can rush the passer, I can play the run, too. But I think my speed plays a factor.” With only veterans Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, and Payton Pierce ahead of him, Pettijohn’s two-deep opportunity might come sooner than expected thanks to his versatility and instincts.
Tight end Nate Roberts, who joined Pettijohn in shedding his black stripe Tuesday, was another major recruiting victory for the Buckeyes. Ohio State tight ends coach Keenan Bailey made the Oklahoma product his top priority, and Roberts is proving that attention was well-placed. A 6-foot-5, 240-pound playmaker, Roberts hauled in 52 catches for 978 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. While the room is crowded with veterans like Will Kacmarek, Max Klare and Jelani Thurman, Roberts impact might come down the road. Roberts has the size, hands, and route-running ability to make an impact, but for now he is viewed as a great depth piece.
At running back, West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson became the third Buckeye to have his black stripe removed in fall camp, doing so just a day after Pettijohn and Roberts. Donaldson brings proven production to the Buckeye backfield after back-to-back seasons of 11 touchdowns and over 700 rushing yards for the Mountaineers. He’ll share carries with sophomore James Peoples, forming a thunder-and-lightning duo that could give Ohio State a powerful new dimension on the ground. His 2,058 career rushing yards and ball security (only four fumbles on 421 carries) bring needed experience and stability to a young but talented room.
Lastly, five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez continues to prove he belongs among the best. The Houston native, ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in the 2025 class, shed his black stripe on Wednesday, joining Donaldson as the most recent additions to the Brotherhood. Though still listed behind starters Davison Igbinosun and Jermaine Mathews Jr., Sanchez has impressed both Ryan Day and Tim Walton with his maturity and willingness to learn. “He’s got the right mindset,” Day said. “He just needs to continue to get reps and grow from it. He’s gonna be a really good player here.” Sanchez himself acknowledged he began at the bottom of the depth chart but has steadily earned his place.
With black stripes falling and expectations rising, Ohio State’s latest additions are already showing the grit, talent, and hunger required to succeed in Columbus. Whether it’s young stars climbing the depth chart or veteran transfers embracing their moment, the message from fall camp is clear: the future is already arriving at Ohio State, and it’s wearing scarlet and gray.
