Ohio State Defensive Tackle Tyleik Williams Loses Black Stripe

The Virginia native sheds his stripe just days after making his first career appearance.

Author:
Andrew Lind
Sep 15, 2021 9:34 AM EDT

Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams became the 15th member of Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class to shed his black stripe following practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Tuesday evening.

“This first guy since the spring has lost 40 pounds,” assistant strength and conditioning coach Chris Fenelon said. “This guy has been getting better every day and buying into the culture.”

The 6-foot-3 and 315-pound Williams came to Columbus as a four-star prospect from Manassas (Va.) Unity Reed, where he was considered the 25th-best defensive lineman and No. 166 prospect overall.

He enrolled in classes in January and took part in spring practice, which paid dividends as he was among the handful of true freshman to travel to the season opener at Minnesota. He then saw the first action of his career in Saturday’s loss to Oregon, recording one tackle.

“I just want to thank y’all for welcoming me to into the brotherhood, the o-line for getting me better every day, the Rushmen for bringing me up and motivating me, Coach (Larry Johnson) for believing in me,” Williams said. “Go Bucks!”

Other freshman who have shed their stripes since arriving on campus include quarterback Kyle McCord; running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor; wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jayden Ballard; offensive lineman Donovan Jackson; defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau; linebacker Reid Carrico; cornerbacks Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock; safety Jantzen Dunn; and punter Jesse Mirco.