Who’s next? Ranking the five freshmen most likely to lose their black stripe at Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) runs during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026. | Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

At Ohio State, losing your black stripe is more than a symbolic moment. It is a signal.

It means a freshman has earned trust. It means the staff believes he can handle the standard, the speed, and the expectations of the program. And more often than not, it is an early indicator of who is pushing for real playing time.

This spring has already seen movement, but there are still several high-profile freshmen trending toward that moment. Based on early reports, positional opportunity, and long-term upside, here are the five most likely Buckeyes to lose their black stripe next.

1. Chris Henry Jr., wide receiver

If there is a “when, not if” candidate in this class, it is Chris Henry Jr..

The five-star receiver arrived in Columbus with one of the most complete profiles in the entire recruiting class. At around 6-foot-5 with elite body control, catch radius, and natural ball skills, Henry looks like a prototype Ohio State outside receiver before even taking a college snap.

But what separates him from most freshman wideouts is polish. Henry’s high school tape shows advanced route pacing, strong hands through contact, and a comfort working at all three levels of the field. He is not just a vertical threat. He understands leverage, spacing, and how to win in contested situations. That matters in a receiver room where talent alone is not enough to earn snaps.

Early buzz has backed that up. He has reportedly adapted quickly to the tempo and physicality of practice, and his size immediately stands out in a room already filled with elite athletes.

The biggest factor working in his favor is opportunity. Ohio State’s receiver room is deep, but it is also fluid behind the top options. If Henry continues to stack strong practices, he has a very real path to rotational reps as a freshman.

Losing his black stripe would simply be the first step.

Chris Henry Jr. was getting 1st team reps yesterday

Twin Towers have arrived in Columbus pic.twitter.com/y9K28m8y8m

— Ohio Divided (@BuckeyeNatty) March 27, 2026

2. Jay Timmons, cornerback

The other name that feels closest is Jay Timmons.

Cornerback is one of the hardest positions for freshmen to crack at Ohio State. The learning curve is steep, and the margin for error is small. That makes early trust even more meaningful.

Timmons has the profile to earn it. A long, athletic defensive back with strong man-coverage traits, Timmons arrived with a reputation for physicality and competitiveness. He is comfortable playing press, has the length to disrupt receivers at the line, and shows natural ball skills when the play is in front of him.

More importantly, he plays with confidence. That trait is critical at corner. Young defensive backs who hesitate get exposed quickly. Timmons’ willingness to challenge receivers and trust his technique gives him a chance to accelerate his development.

The opportunity is there as well. Ohio State’s corner room has talent, but it is not locked top to bottom. Depth roles and rotational snaps are available, especially for players who can prove they are assignment-sound and physically ready.

If Timmons continues to show consistency in coverage and earns trust from the staff, he could be one of the next freshmen to clear that first milestone.

3. Jerquaden Guilliford, wide receiver

Right behind Henry is another intriguing receiver option in Jerquaden Guilliford.

Guilliford brings a different skill set to the room. Where Henry wins with size and catch radius, Guilliford wins with suddenness, route quickness, and separation ability. He projects more naturally as a hybrid or Y receiver who can create mismatches in space.

His high school production reflects that style. Guilliford consistently created explosive plays after the catch, showing the ability to turn short completions into chunk gains. He is a fluid mover with strong acceleration, and his ability to change direction makes him difficult to cover one-on-one.

The challenge for Guilliford is the depth chart. Ohio State’s slot and Y receiver roles are already competitive, and earning snaps there requires precision and trust. But that also means there is a clear developmental path.

If he proves he can handle the playbook and execute consistently, his skill set gives the staff another dimension to work with. That makes him a strong candidate to lose his black stripe in the near future.

Mix of Olave and Jamo.

Jerquaden Guilford is going to be special. pic.twitter.com/uhC1cphYIg

— Official Ohio State DG (@DylanEveryday) April 4, 2026

4. Cincere Johnson, linebacker

At linebacker, Cincere Johnson stands out as one of the most physically ready freshmen in the class.

Johnson arrived with a reputation as a downhill, instinctive defender who thrives around the ball. His high school production was built on tackling efficiency, physicality, and an ability to diagnose plays quickly.

Those traits translate well early. Linebacker is a position where physical readiness can accelerate development, and Johnson already looks the part. He plays with urgency, closes space quickly, and shows a willingness to engage in contact.

The key for him will be processing speed. Ohio State’s defensive system places heavy demands on linebackers to read, react, and adjust on the fly. If Johnson proves he can handle those responsibilities, his physical tools give him a chance to push for early depth reps.

That combination of readiness and upside makes him a strong candidate to earn early trust from the staff.

5. Khary Wilder, edge

The final name on this list is Khary Wilder, a high-upside edge defender with long-term potential.

Wilder fits the physical mold Ohio State looks for on the edge. He has length, burst, and the ability to pressure the quarterback, traits that made him a productive pass rusher at the high school level.

Like most freshman defensive ends under Larry Johnson, his path will likely be developmental.

That means refining technique, building strength, and learning how to win against more polished offensive tackles. But the flashes are what matter early, and Wilder has shown enough to suggest he could carve out a role down the line.

Losing his black stripe would be an early sign that his development is ahead of schedule.

Khary Wilder at 248 is even more electric than he was last season. 250 plus snaps this year. Best since Chase, 3 and done, top 10 pick, all of it. All the stuff. pic.twitter.com/fftn5naOwo

— Juck (@JuckOnBucks) March 12, 2026

The prediction

If the question is who is next, two names separate from the rest.

Chris Henry Jr. and Jay Timmons.

Henry feels inevitable. His talent, polish, and physical profile make him one of the most ready-made freshmen on the roster. Timmons, meanwhile, plays a position where early trust is harder to earn, but his traits and mentality give him a real chance to break through.

Both are trending toward that moment. And when they lose their black stripes, it will not just be a symbolic milestone. It will be a signal that Ohio State’s next wave of impact players is already starting to emerge.