Ohio State true freshman offensive lineman Gabe VanSickle is the latest Buckeye to become an “official” member of the team, shedding his black stripe after Ohio State’s practice on Wednesday.
VanSickle, a Coopersville, Mich., native, was a late addition to the Buckeyes’ 2024 recruiting class after decommitting from Northwestern last fall and pledging with Ohio State on Thanksgiving Day last year.
Ohio State viewed VanSickle as more of a late bloomer last year while he was having success playing at left tackle his senior season at Coopersville, Mich., compelling the Buckeyes to host him on visits for their 2023 games against Michigan State and Penn State.
He arrived on campus in June as the nation’s 283rd-best prospect, 17th-best interior offensive lineman and sixth-best player out of Michigan.
VanSickle is now the 13th true freshman to earn the distinction this season and the third to do so since the season began, joining, in order, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (March 21), quarterback Julian Sayin (April 8), safety Jaylen McClain (Aug. 7), defensive end Eddrick Houston (Aug. 9), running back James Peoples (Aug. 9), linebacker Payton Pierce (Aug. 13), offensive lineman Ian Moore (Aug. 15), safety Leroy Roker (Aug. 21), wide receiver Mylan Graham (Aug. 21), cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. (Aug. 27), quarterback Air Noland (Sept. 25) and tight end Max LeBlanc (Oct. 17).
10 members of Ohio State’s 2024 class still have yet to earn the distinction, including offensive linemen Deontae and Devontae Armstrong, running back Sam Williams-Dixon, defensive linemen Dominic Kirks and Eric Mensah, cornerbacks Miles Lockhart and Bryce West, punter Nick McLarty, linebacker Garrett Stover and wide receiver Damaron Witten.
