As one of the nine early enrollees for spring camp, freshman linebacker Dallas Gant turned heads when he arrived at Ohio State and appeared to be well on his way for playing time with the Buckeyes in 2018.
After the fifth practice of fall camp Wednesday, Gant took another big step in that direction when a photo posted to the football team’s Instagram story showed him addressing OSU coaches and players during the removal of his black helmet stripe. The program later posted a video of it on Twitter.
⬛️???? #LBU got a new Buckeye in the room‼️ @Dallas_Gant got his black stripe off‼️
#GoBucks #WinTheMoment pic.twitter.com/uVwIP7LHCz
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 8, 2018
With the accomplishment, Gant joins defensive tackle Tommy Togiai as the second freshman to shed a black stripe. As an early enrollee in the spring, Togiai became the second-fastest player to have a black stripe removed April 11 — after junior wide receiver Austin Mack did so March 31, 2016.
(Photo: OhioStateFB/Instagram)
Gant caught head coach Urban Meyer’s attention in March when the 6-3, 225-pounder popped as a standout newcomer.
“He’s probably going to play,” Meyer said of Gant, who is a candidate for time on special teams and defense. “He’s shown enough.”
Gant committed May 16, 2017, to Ohio State from Toledo (Ohio) St. John’s Jesuit. He was a four-star recruit for the Buckeyes’ 2018 class, rated by the 247Sports composite as the No. 166 overall prospect, No. 10 outside linebacker and No. 5 player in Ohio.
Prior to spring camp, Gant told BSB on National Signing Day in February how he hoped to compete with OSU’s linebackers ahead of his debut season.
“I think once I understand the playbook I’ll be able to understand it pretty well with my alignment, my job and knowing what I have to do at all times whether it’s motion, pulls one way or another,” Gant said. “So I think I’ll be pretty good with that and just working the best I can.”
