Scarlet Sunrise: Denzel Burke sheds black stripe, provides secondary depth

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Denzel Burke sheds black stripe

Denzel Burke is officially ready to provide young depth in the Ohio State secondary.

The true freshman who enrolled early and went through spring practice and summer workouts with the Buckeyes lost his black stripe after practice Saturday. A right of passage in the build-up to playing time, the loss of the black stripe signifies that Burke is now officially a member of the program.

And in a secondary hoping to improve dramatically from a year ago, the versatile athlete Burke has a chance to earn playing time in the back end at safety, cornerback and on special teams in his first season on campus.

He took the first massive step toward doing so on Saturday when he shed his black stripe and officially joined the Buckeyes program.

Buckeyes arrive for hotel check-in

One of the unusual days of every Ohio State football season has come and gone.

The Buckeyes checked into their team hotel for their annual two-week stint away from all the distractions campus, college and conversation about their expectations. It’s a day that brings the team and the media together with a faux red carpet feel that is hard to describe without sounding slightly fanatical.

For Ohio State players, it’s a rite of passage. For the non-football team guests at the hotel, it is a day that brings a lot of questions about ‘Why are all these folks out here with cameras?’

Players arrived over a two-hour span. The check-in and arrival was a good time and a good chance to get a glimpse at the future of the Buckeyes football program. Check out the photos from Sunday afternoon below.

LOOK: Photos as Ohio State checks into camp for 2021 season

Lejond Cavazos building case in Ohio State secondary

Lejond Cavazos had a tough freshman year. With the setbacks due to the pandemic and a steep learning curve, Cavazos was limited in action and had to learn to take care of his body to become a better athlete.

He is doing just that in Year Two with the program, and he’s beginning to see results on and off the field. Lettermen Row’s Jeremy Birmingham has more on Cavazos and his push for playing time this fall after a rocky campaign last year:

Confidence and having a short memory are two things a cornerback needs to be successful. Lejond Cavazos isn’t short on confidence in any way. It doesn’t take more than a cursory glance at his Instagram profile to know he doesn’t mind being in the spotlight. Still, last season was a tough one. Expectations are a cruel and unyielding monster sometimes. When they’re hard to reach due to physical issues, mindsets change and confidence wanes. The young defensive back admits to feeling frustration last year.

This year, however, has been different. The confidence is coming back.

READ: Lejond Cavazos focused, healthy and ready to make impact for Ohio State

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