Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes freshman cornerback Bryce West loses black stripe

COLUMBUS — Ohio State cornerback Bryce West earned the first snaps of his career last week, six on defense and six on special teams, in the win over Purdue.

West is clearly improving during his freshman season, and he was given the clearest sign yet of that. He shed his black stripe after practice Wednesday night.

West is the 15th member of the Buckeyes 2024 recruiting class to lose the black stripe. Only punter Nick McLarty, defensive linemen Eric Mensah and Dom Kirks, cornerback Miles Lockhart, linebacker Garrett Stover, wide receiver Damarion Witten and offensive linemen — and twin brothers — Deontae and Devontae Armstrong remain as freshmen who haven’t shed the black stripe.

West is off that list now, becoming the latest Ohio State freshman to officially become a member of the program after making his debut in last weekend’s win.

Will Kacmarek injury update: Ryan Day gives another promising report

Ohio State starting tight end Will Kacmarek hasn’t been in action for the Buckeyes since their road loss to Oregon last month, and coach Ryan Day said last week that he could be back soon.

Day was asked again Wednesday night — for the second straight week — about Kacmarek’s progress as he works back from an undisclosed upper-body injury, and his update was certainly promising, even more so than last week’s update. Kacmarek was at practice this week as he continues to work back.

“He was out there at practice,” Day said. “Certainly very limited right now. But there’s a lot of great work being done there. He’s ahead of schedule and we’re looking to get him back out to practice next week.

“But he is at least out there in some individual drills right now.”

Kacmarek left the Oregon game after just a few plays following a 32-yard reception that set up the game’s opening touchdown by quarterback Will Howard. He hasn’t played since.

ICYMI: Jeremiah Smith named semifinalist for Walter Camp Player of the Year Award

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has already shown he is among the best wide receivers in all of college football.

Now he’s up for an award that honors the best player, regardless of position, in the sport. And he’s the only full-time wide receiver on the list. Smith has made the cut and is a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, given annually to the top player in college football, as announced Wednesday.

Colorado athlete Travis Hunter is also a semifinalist as a wide receiver, but he’s not a full-time wide receiver. He splits time between wide receiver and cornerback. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is the only other pass-catcher on the list.

Smith is the leading receiver for a stacked Ohio State wide receiver room this season. The freshman former No. 1 overall prospect from the 2024 recruiting class has 45 catches for 765 receiving yards and nine touchdown grabs on the season. Those numbers are all freshman receiving records for the Buckeyes, and he has topped them all in just nine games.

Counting down

Ohio State at Northwestern: 2 days
Ohio State vs. Indiana: 9 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 16 days

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