Photo via @OhioStateFB on Twitter
Redshirt freshman defensive lineman Eric Mensah became the third Buckeye of the spring to have his black stripe removed after practice on Thursday.
Mensah was a three-star recruit in the 2024 class out of Stafford (Va.), who originally committed to Virginia Tech, before signing with Ohio State.
Mensah received very little playing time in his freshman season behind veteran defensive linemen like JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton and Tyleik Williams although he did appear in three games. With all four starting defensive linemen departing, Mensah will have an opportunity for more playing time.
In early spring practices, Mensah didn’t line up with some of the defense’s starting players and for the time being, projects to at least behind defensive linemen like Caden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Eddrick Houston and Kayden McDonald in the depth chart.
With Mensah having his black stripe removed on Thursday, there are only three players from the 2024 class who have yet to become “official” Buckeyes. Those three are defensive lineman Dominic Kirks, punter Nick McLarty and wide receiver Damarion Witten.
