Devin Sanchez Officially Becomes a Buckeye: Black Stripe Removed as Freshman Cornerback Begins His Rise in Columbus

In Columbus, Ohio, where football tradition stretches from Woody Hayes to the modern era of Ryan Day, earning your place at Ohio State is never just about the stars next to your name or the buzz surrounding your arrival. It’s about proving it—every day, in every drill, in front of teammates who’ve been through the fire. And this week, true freshman cornerback Devin Sanchez took a major step on that journey. On Wednesday, the nation’s top-rated cornerback recruit officially became a Buckeye in every sense of the word when he had his black stripe removed—an Ohio State tradition that symbolizes a new player’s full integration into the team.

For anyone unfamiliar with the ritual, the black stripe is more than just a piece of tape on a helmet. It represents a threshold—one that separates those still earning their place from those who’ve proven they belong. When that stripe comes off, it’s not just about recognition from the coaching staff; it’s a clear signal from the team itself that a player is ready to contribute, compete, and represent the Buckeye standard. And in the case of Devin Sanchez, the removal of that stripe might be just the beginning of something much bigger.

Sanchez arrived at Ohio State with the kind of hype that few defensive players receive coming out of high school. Ranked as the number one cornerback in the nation and a consensus five-star recruit, he was one of the crown jewels of Ohio State’s 2025 class. Yet from the moment he arrived on campus, he made one thing clear: past rankings don’t matter anymore. “Anybody can say, ‘Oh, he’s going to play this year!’” Sanchez told reporters during spring camp. “But I actually gotta prove it. I just gotta come out here, work, and earn that spot.” That attitude set the tone for everything he’s done since arriving in Columbus.

The journey hasn’t been easy, and that’s exactly how Sanchez wanted it. At a program like Ohio State, where competition is a daily reality and the cornerback room is stacked with returning talent, nothing is handed out. Veterans like Davison Igbinosun, Jermaine Mathews Jr., and Lorenzo Styles Jr. aren’t interested in yielding starting roles to a freshman. Yet despite the depth and experience ahead of him, Sanchez has consistently stood out in drills, scrimmages, and team sessions. Coaches have praised his technique. Teammates have noted his poise. And now, with the black stripe officially removed, it’s clear that Sanchez is forcing his way into the conversation.

What makes his early success so compelling isn’t just the physical tools—though he has plenty. At 6-foot-2 with elite speed, long arms, and the ability to play both man and zone coverage, Sanchez checks every box a modern college cornerback needs to thrive. He plays with a physical edge, showing confidence in press coverage and awareness in off-man and zone schemes. He breaks on the ball with timing and violence, and his instincts often place him a step ahead of the route. But the real separator has been his mentality. He studies film like a junior. He communicates like a leader. And most importantly, he never assumes anything is given—only earned.

Throughout spring and summer workouts, that attitude has helped Sanchez gain ground quickly. He’s been rotated in with the second-team defense and has even seen some first-team reps during early fall camp. Defensive backs coach Tim Walton has raved about his coachability and attention to detail. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, known for being a stickler about assignments and execution, has quietly noted Sanchez’s fast acclimation to the complexities of the scheme. These aren’t just hollow praises. They’re signals that the coaches trust him, even before his first collegiate snap.

And now, with the symbolic stripe gone, the expectations are rising. Fans who once viewed Sanchez as a potential future star are starting to ask whether the future might arrive sooner than expected. The buzz around the program suggests that he may be difficult to keep off the field. It’s not unheard of for Ohio State to play true freshman defensive backs. Denzel Ward, Jeff Okudah, and Marshon Lattimore all saw action early in their careers before blossoming into first-round NFL Draft picks. Sanchez could be next in line, and the timetable may be accelerating.

Perhaps the most revealing sign of Sanchez’s trajectory came not from a coach or a journalist, but from fellow players. Some have started calling him “the Jeremiah Smith of the defense,” a reference to last year’s breakout freshman wide receiver who shattered expectations and became a national sensation by midseason. It’s high praise, especially within a locker room that understands just how rare it is for a first-year player to make that kind of leap. For Sanchez to draw those comparisons before even stepping on the field in a regular-season game says everything about how highly he’s regarded within the team.

Still, no one is handing him a starting job. Nor is Sanchez asking for one. If anything, he remains laser-focused on the process. He continues to emphasize effort over entitlement, repetition over recognition. When asked how he handles the hype and the pressure, Sanchez gives the same answer every time: it doesn’t matter. “All I can do is work,” he says. “Everything else will come if I handle that part.” In a program that thrives on internal competition and demands accountability, that mindset is precisely what earns respect.

The significance of the black stripe removal extends beyond symbolism. It means Sanchez has earned the trust of the program. It means the strength and conditioning staff has seen enough progress. It means his position coaches believe he’s ready to compete. But most importantly, it means his teammates believe he belongs. In a locker room full of former high school All-Americans and future NFL players, peer validation is often the most valuable kind.

As the 2025 season approaches, Ohio State’s secondary will be tested early and often. Matchups against explosive Big Ten offenses, non-conference showdowns, and the looming showdown with Michigan will demand depth, versatility, and fearlessness in the defensive backfield. Sanchez may not start week one, but the odds are strong that he’ll see meaningful snaps before long. Whether it’s in nickel packages, special teams, or as a rotational corner, the coaches are going to find ways to get him on the field. And when they do, no one will be surprised if he makes an immediate impact.

The Buckeyes have long been known as a factory for elite defensive backs. Ohio State doesn’t just produce NFL corners—it produces stars. Names like Eli Apple, Gareon Conley, Kendall Sheffield, and Malik Hooker all made their mark in Columbus before moving on to the league. Sanchez has the chance to add his name to that tradition, and if his early progress is any indication, he’s well on his way.

The next few weeks will be critical. Fall camp is ramping up. Position battles are intensifying. The first game looms large on the calendar. But for Devin Sanchez, the most important part of the process has already begun. The black stripe is gone. The door is open. The spotlight is getting brighter. And with each passing day, it feels more and more like Ohio State’s next great cornerback is already on campus—ready, focused, and determined to make his mark.

From prized recruit to official Buckeye, Sanchez’s journey is off to a promising start. What comes next may just define a new chapter in Ohio State’s storied defensive legacy.