Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson on Monday became the first member of the Buckeyes’ 2019 recruiting class to lose his black stripe.
🚫⬛️ "This man's hands is different!" Congrats @GarrettWilson_V for getting that black stripe off! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/you6bnOhTz
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 8, 2019
The 6-0, 188-pound Wilson — who hails from Austin (Texas) Lake Travis — joins fellow receiver Austin Mack (2016) and defensive tackle Tommy Togiai (2018) as the only early enrollees to shed their stripes during spring practices since former head coach Urban Meyer implemented the tradition in 2012.
Rated the second-best wide receivers and No. 20 prospect overall in this year’s recruiting cycle, Wilson is expected to make an immediate impact for Ohio State as the likely backup to Binjimen Victor at the Z (flanker) receiver position.
Walk-on wide receiver Austin Kutscher also shed his black stripe following this morning’s practice.
🚫⬛️ Congratulations @AustinKutscher for getting your black stripe off! Thank you for all that you do for #Zone6 and the Buckeyes!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/T16pGncDxc
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 8, 2019
The 6-0, 200-pound Kutscher was a two-time team captain at Massillon (Ohio) Washington prior to his arrival at Ohio State. He hauled in 93 catches for 1,349 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Tigers as a senior, which equates to one of the best single-season performances in school history.
A sophomore, Kutscher has yet to see action for the Buckeyes. He and Wilson are the eighth and ninth players to lose their black stripes this spring, joining sophomore transfer quarterback Justin Fields; redshirt freshman offensive tackle Max Wray; walk-on linebackers Logan Hittle, Cade Kacherski and Ben Schmiesing; walk-on cornerback Darryl Sinclair; and walk-on safety Ryan Batsch.
