Ohio State safety Jayden Bonsu loses black stripe
COLUMBUS — A week after true freshman cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt shed his black stripe, another first-year Buckeyes defensive back received the post-practice honor after Wednesday night’s practice: Jayden Bonsu.
Bonsu is one of two Ohio State safeties who joined the program in June, the other being Cedrick Hawkins Jr. Bonsu was the higher rated prospect of the two, clocking at No. 284 nationally and No. 23 at the position in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Bonsu was also the No. 4 New Jersey recruit last cycle. He turned in an impressive final two seasons at St. Peter’s Prep, also the alma mater of current Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon.
The 6-foot-1, 210-pound Bonsu mounted 62 total tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two picks as a junior. Then, as a senior, he reached the 70-tackle mark in just 10 games, pitching in 2.5 sacks, 4.5 TFLs and an interception. Bonsu has good length and played in the box, in the slot and up high at St. Peter’s Prep.
Bonsu has yet to play a snap this season, making him a redshirt candidate.
Ohio State, though, notably has been banged up at safety of late. Lathan Ransom is out for the rest of the regular season but a return after that is still on the table. Josh Proctor is expected back soon after missing last week’s game against Michigan State.
Bonsu’s classmate, Malik Hartford — who has made significant strides since enrolling early — has made two starts in Proctor’s place this season, including versus the Spartans this past weekend.
But Simpson-Hunt hadn’t earned a defensive snap this year until the Michigan State game, the same week he shed his black stripe. Maybe Bonsu will have the same fortune this week against Minnesota.
Miles Walker becomes fourth and final Buckeyes offensive lineman in 2023 class to shed black stripe
From Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook:
Ohio State offensive lineman Miles Walker is working hard in the middle of a developmental year.
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That hard work is beginning to show itself on the practice field as Walker works with a redshirt in mind.
Walker had his black stripe removed Wednesday night after practice, a ceremonial sign that he’s officially a member of the Buckeyes football program.
Walker was the lowest-rated member of the 2023 Ohio State recruiting class, checking in at No. 521 overall in the On3 Industry Rankings. He was the No. 29 offensive tackle in the country and No. 4 player in the state of Connecticut.
He was part of a four-man offensive line recruiting class for offensive line coach Justin Frye. The others, Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld and Josh Padilla all three previously lost their black stripes earlier in various stages of their freshmen seasons.
Now Walker is the latest member of the 2023 recruiting class to lose his black stripe. And the developmental path he is on is already showing signs of working.
