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Buckeyes offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa loses black stripe

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•04/08/25•

SpencerHolbrook

Ethan Onianwa by Mick Walker -- Lettermen Row --
Ethan Onianwa (Mick Walker/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ethan Onianwa had a list of things he needed to accomplish before he could truly begin working to earn a starting tackle job at Ohio State.

First order of business: cut weight. He’s done that. Down to 335 pounds after once nearly touching 370 pounds, Onianwa has been hard at work to get his body right for the Buckeyes.

Now he’s taking another big step toward becoming the starting left tackle for Ohio State this upcoming season: Onianwa has lost his black stripe ahead of the Buckeyes spring game on Saturday.

The Rice transfer and expected starting left tackle for the program is having a strong spring so far to kick off his year with the Buckeyes.

“I try to live by being the hardest-working person on the field,” Onianwa said. “That’s what I want to do. I want to spend the most time watching film, spend the most time after practice getting extra work, have that edge. That’s how I would describe myself.”

Is he a finished product? Certainly not. The step up from Rice to Ohio State will still be tested throughout the remainder of spring, training camp and even into the season. Whether he handles it well won’t truly be known until he lines up against Texas at the end of August — assuming he wins a starting job at left tackle.

But so far, so good in spring ball.

“He’s done a great job,” Bowen said of Onianwa. “Very coachable, working his tail off. I’ve been impressed with Ethan. Just number one, you know, he obviously is an impressive size guy from size, length, but it’s his smarts, it’s his work ethic.

“The way he approaches it every day, that’s been the most impressive to me.”

That approach and the way he’s practicing have given Onianwa a chance to become a star for Ohio State in his first and only season with the program. Now he’s taking a huge step forward in that regard, losing his black stripe after practice on Tuesday.

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