Buckeyes freshman linebacker Payton Pierce sheds black stripe

COLUMBUS — Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis raved about freshman linebacker Payton Pierce last week when he met with the media.

Since that conversation, it seemed like just a matter of time before Pierce lost his black stripe, a signal that he’s officially a member of the football program. That time has come.

Pierce lost his black stripe Tuesday after Buckeyes practice, the program announced on social media. He’s the fourth Ohio State freshman to lose the black stripe this August, joining defensive end Eddrick Houston, safety Jaylen McClain and running back James Peoples.

Again, none of this is surprising for Pierce — especially after Laurinaitis had this to say about him last week:

“He’s not behind at all,” Laurinaitis said. “There’s some certain tweaks to the defense that you gotta feel and experience and stuff, you know. But the thing you notice from Day 1 with Payton is that he was going to come downhill. And he’s very natural, very natural in the box. He has an understanding for blocking schemes and how to fall back on certain gaps.

“Just a very natural, smart football player and tough. So he’s a scrapper, not surprised — you knew that when you recruited him, him coming out of Texas and having a wrestler background. Very smart, instinctual linebacker.”

Pierce is putting that skillset to good use in his first training camp at Ohio State. He has impressed enough through 11 practices to lose his black stripe.

Buckeyes RB James Peoples lost his black stripe last week

Ohio State freshman tailback James Peoples said last week that if he’s called upon to play this season for the Buckeyes, he’ll be ready.

He took a big step forward on his way to having a role in the running back room on Friday, shedding his black stripe to become an official member of the football program. Peoples was one of two Buckeyes freshmen to lose the black stripe Friday; he was joined by freshman defensive end Eddrick Houston. Freshman safety Jaylen McClain lost his black stripe on Wednesday after practice.

As for Peoples, he has a big season ahead of him as the potential No. 3 running back on the depth chart behind senior TreVeyon Henderson and Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins.

Peoples believes he will be ready for action this fall for Ohio State — in whatever role he’s needed.

Now he’s one step closer to being ready for game action. His black stripe is off, and he’s ready to earn a role in this loaded Buckeyes backfield.

More on Eddrick Houston…

Ohio State addded another member to the Rushmen — in an official capacity this time. Freshman defensive end Eddrick Houston shed his black stripe after practice on Friday, officially becoming a part of the Buckeyes football program.

Houston has impressed so far during his first offseason on campus ahead of his freshman campaign.

More on McClain losing his black stripe…

Ohio State freshman safety Jaylen McClain, an early standout during the first few days of training camp, shed his black stripe after Buckeyes practice on Wednesday. That stripe removal signals that he’s officially a member of the football program and has been wowing coaches in practice.

McClain had already impressed in bursts during spring ball back in March and April. But he carried that into the offseason that was filled with workouts and now has continued to be a factor early in training camp.

Lettermen Row even noted McClain in each of our ‘observation notebooks’ when we were permitted to watch Buckeyes practice last weekend. He caught our staff’s eye in each session.