Ohio State gave two defensive backs a Christmas gift when safety Ryan Rudzinski and cornerback Diantรฉ Griffin lost their black stripes in Arlington four days before the Cotton Bowl.
Griffin is a sophomore after coming to Ohio State in 2022, making it as a walk-on, and now losing his black stripe in his second year with the program.
He is the grandson of Ohio State football legend Archie Griffin who played with the Buckeyes from 1972-75, winning two Heisman trophies in his final two years at the school while rushing for 5,177 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Rudzinski, a freshman, came to Ohio State as an unranked prospect out of Bishop Watterson where he had 89 tackles and 10 interceptions.
He also comes from a Buckeye family, following in his fatherโs footsteps, Jerry Rudzinski, who played as a linebacker at Ohio State from 1996-98 when he appeared in 34 games and had two interceptions.
Griffin and Rudzinski are now the 34th and 35th players to be officially welcomed to the team this season.
