Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes linebacker Joey Velazquez, transfer from Michigan, loses black stripe

COLUMBUS — Joey Velazquez was a part of the Michigan football team for all three of the Wolverines’ three wins over Ohio State in the last three seasons. Now the Central Ohio native is working to help Ohio State turn the tides of the rivalry and win a pair of gold pants for the Buckeyes.

Velazquez, a graduate senior linebacker, took a big step in his attempt to carve out a role for the Buckeyes on Wednesday, shedding his black stripe after practice ahead of the second game of the season.

The former St. Francis De Sales star did not appear in a game last season during the Wolverines’ run to the national championship. He appeared in 20 games, mostly on special teams, during his time with the Wolverines program. According to On3’s Michigan site, The Wolverine, Velazquez was recruited to Ann Arbor to play the VIPER position in former UM defensive coordinator Don Brown’s system.

Velazquez was a three-star prospect and the No. 1,076 player in the country in the 2019 class, per the On3 Industry Ranking.

A two-sport athlete, Velazquez was also a member of the Michigan baseball team. He won a Big Ten title with both the football program and baseball team. During the 2023 baseball season, he appeared in 48 games with 38 starts, hitting four home runs with 36 hits.

Now though, he has crossed back over to this side of the rivalry, and he could play a role for the Buckeyes. He took a big step toward doing that this fall by losing his black stripe.

Pair of Buckeyes starters still listed as ‘day-to-day’

Ohio State was without two key starters for the season-opening win over Akron on Saturday. Both starting left guard Donovan Jackson and star middle linebacker Cody Simon missed the opener with minor injuries, neither considered serious in nature.

Asked Tuesday if either will play in the primetime home game against Western Michigan this Saturday night (7:30 p.m., Big Ten Network), Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said both were considered ‘day-to-day.’

“They’re day-to-day right now,” Day said Tuesday. We’re going to see how today goes. Had a good weekend. We’re going to list them as day-to-day.”

Day reiterated that Simon and Jackson are day-to-day on Wednesday night, and he didn’t go any further in what he had to say about the pair of seniors.

In place of Simon, the Buckeyes turned to Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese and C.J. Hicks as a three-man rotation. All three had their bright moments, but they’ll certainly be a better unit when Simon returns to action.

Reese was a standout, and he’ll continue to play a lot — even when Simon returns to action.

In place of Jackson, Ohio State turned to redshirt freshman offensive lineman Austin Siereveld as the team’s starting left guard. Day and the staff liked some of what Siereveld did despite it being his first start.

Buckeyes No. 4 in Massey Index after one week

Ohio State is No. 4 nationally — and No. 2 in the Big Ten — in the On3 Massey Ratings after the first week of the season. The Buckeyes are behind the top three of Georgia, Alabama and Michigan.

Here’s what On3 wrote about the Buckeyes place behind Michigan in the ratings.

Ohio State: A common pick to win the national title this season, Ohio State ranks No. 4 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten in the On3 Massey Ratings. The Buckeyes started slowly against Akron in week one before pulling away for a blowout 52-6 victory. True freshman wideout Jeremiah Smith caught six passes for 92 yards while the Buckeyes defense added two touchdowns of their own. Ohio State’s first real test will come at home against Iowa on Oct. 5.

The Buckeyes are ahead of Penn State, Notre Dame, Texas, Oregon, Oklahoma and Ole Miss — which are the programs that rounded out the top 10.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Western Michigan: 2 days
Ohio State at Oregon: 37 days
Ohio State at Penn State: 58 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 86 days

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