Photo via @OhioStateFB on Twitter
Ohio State redshirt freshman cornerback Miles Lockhart had his black stripe removed after Ohio State’s seventh spring practice on Saturday, making him the first Buckeye to earn the distinction in the 2025 season.
Lockhart, a former four-star prospect in the 2024 class out of Chandler (Ariz.) Basha, did not play any snaps as a freshman last season while sitting behind program stalwarts Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, Davison Igbinosun and others. With Burke and Hancock now off to the NFL, though, the Chandler, Ariz., native could be in line for at least some playing time as a reserve.
Judging off the spring practices open to the media in early March, Lockhart is starting the year as the Buckeyes’ No. 3 slot cornerback on the 2025 depth chart behind redshirt senior and projected starter Lorenzo Styles Jr. as well as fellow 2024 four-star Bryce West. Junior Jermaine Mathews Jr. — who is projected to start at outside cornerback — also saw some time at the slot position, making it an even steeper hill to climb for Lockhart if he wants to get on the field in any capacity this season.
Lockhart’s stripe removal leaves just four members of Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class who have yet to become “official” members of the team, those being defensive linemen Dominic Kirks and Eric Mensah, punter Nick McLarty and wide receiver Damarion Witten.
