“Milestone Moment: Damarion Witten Sheds His Black Stripe to Become the Final Member of Ohio State’s 2024 Class Officially Welcomed as a True Buckeye”
The black stripe tradition at Ohio State has become one of the most iconic symbols of the Buckeye football program, a rite of passage that signifies the moment a young player fully earns his place as a true member of the team. It is more than just a small piece of tape on a helmet; it represents growth, hard work, maturity, and the ability to embrace the relentless standard of excellence that comes with wearing the scarlet and gray. For the 2024 class, that journey has now reached its conclusion with Damarion Witten becoming the final member to shed his black stripe, marking an important milestone not only for him personally but for the entire incoming group that entered Columbus full of dreams and ambition. This moment is one that carries weight because it underscores how Ohio State’s culture of development pushes every player to evolve at their own pace, while never losing sight of the collective bond that ties the roster together.
Witten’s path to this milestone is emblematic of the resilience and determination required to succeed in a program as storied and demanding as Ohio State. Coming in as a young tight end, he faced the dual challenge of adjusting to the speed and physicality of the college game while also proving to his coaches and teammates that he was ready to embody the toughness and discipline the Buckeyes demand. The black stripe process doesn’t happen overnight. Some players shed theirs within weeks, while others take months of grinding through practices, meetings, and countless repetitions to demonstrate their readiness. For Witten, the timing is a reminder that every player’s journey is unique, and that persistence ultimately pays off when the moment arrives. By becoming the final member of his class to achieve this distinction, he not only completes his own rite of passage but also adds to the powerful narrative of the 2024 class’s transition into fully integrated Buckeyes.
The significance of Witten’s moment resonates even more when considering the legacy of the black stripe tradition itself. Since its inception under Urban Meyer, it has been a staple of Ohio State football’s identity, a way of reinforcing the idea that nothing is handed out freely in Columbus. A black stripe represents being new, unproven, and still needing to earn trust. Its removal is a public acknowledgment that the player has put in the necessary work, bought into the program’s values, and shown enough progress to stand shoulder to shoulder with his brothers on the field. For fans, it has become a beloved storyline to follow each offseason and training camp, offering a glimpse into which young talents are beginning to make their mark. For the players, it’s a validation of endless hours spent in the weight room, in film study, and on the practice field when no one is watching.
Witten’s journey also highlights the importance of patience and trust in the developmental process. Not every freshman arrives ready to contribute immediately, and Ohio State’s coaching staff has long emphasized that growth takes time. For a player like Witten, whose role as a tight end requires mastering both the physical blocking aspects of the game and the finesse of route running and pass catching, the adjustment period is often steep. To shed the black stripe means he has made visible strides in both the technical aspects of his craft and the intangible qualities that coaches value—effort, accountability, and toughness. His progression serves as proof that the coaching staff’s method of pushing players without rushing them fosters long-term success, not just short-term flashes.
The fact that Witten was the last in his class to achieve this milestone doesn’t diminish the accomplishment—it actually enhances it. Being the final player to shed the stripe underscores that Ohio State does not operate on a one-size-fits-all timetable. Some players blossom quickly, while others take a bit longer to adjust to the culture, the playbook, or the physical requirements of college football. In many ways, Witten’s patience and perseverance reflect the very qualities Ohio State wants to instill in every player: the ability to embrace challenges, block out comparisons, and focus on steady improvement. By reaching this point, he demonstrates that persistence can be just as valuable as immediate success.
For the 2024 class as a whole, Witten’s moment brings a sense of completion to a chapter in their journey. From the day they signed with Ohio State, each of these young men dreamed of running out of the tunnel at Ohio Stadium as true Buckeyes. The black stripe tradition provided a tangible checkpoint along the way, and now, with every member of the class having shed theirs, the group stands united as a fully recognized part of the roster. This unity is critical because it symbolizes the collective buy-in that fuels championship-caliber teams. Each player, whether he earned the honor early or late, now shares in the same bond and can look around the locker room knowing he belongs. That shared sense of belonging can translate into stronger chemistry on the field and a deeper commitment to the program’s lofty goals.
In addition to the personal and collective significance, Witten’s milestone also offers fans a chance to celebrate the future of the Buckeyes. Tight ends have historically played a crucial role in Ohio State’s offense, not only as blockers in the run game but also as key targets in the passing attack. With the program’s emphasis on developing versatile playmakers, Witten’s progression suggests that he could be positioning himself for a role in the years to come. Shedding the stripe does not guarantee immediate playing time, but it does indicate that coaches trust him enough to be considered ready when his number is called. For fans eager to see the next wave of Buckeye stars, this moment marks the beginning of Witten’s opportunity to carve out his own legacy.
The ripple effect of moments like these is felt beyond just the individual players. For high school recruits watching from afar, the black stripe tradition is a powerful recruiting tool that shows how Ohio State values accountability and growth. Prospects see that nothing is given away easily, and that every player, regardless of ranking or hype, has to prove himself. For the veterans on the team, it’s a reminder of their own journey and an opportunity to celebrate the younger brothers who are now fully part of the Buckeye brotherhood. The ceremony of removing a black stripe often brings visible joy and excitement from teammates, creating memories that deepen the sense of family within the program.
Witten’s achievement can also be framed within the broader narrative of Ohio State football heading into the upcoming season. The Buckeyes are once again positioned to contend for Big Ten and national titles, and their success will depend not only on established stars but also on the depth and development of younger players. Each member of the 2024 class now stands ready to contribute, whether on special teams, in rotational roles, or as eventual starters. Witten’s progression adds another piece to the puzzle, reinforcing the idea that Ohio State’s strength lies in its ability to continuously develop talent across all positions.
For Witten personally, the moment of having his black stripe removed is likely one he will never forget. It is the culmination of countless hours of hard work, the validation of the trust he has earned from coaches, and the official beginning of his career as a true Buckeye. It is also a launching point for everything that lies ahead. Now, with the symbolic barrier removed, his focus can shift fully to competing, improving, and helping his team pursue greatness. The pride he feels in reaching this milestone will no doubt serve as motivation to continue climbing toward even greater achievements.
In the end, Damarion Witten becoming the final member of the 2024 class to shed his black stripe is about more than just him. It is about the power of perseverance, the strength of tradition, and the unity of a team built on accountability and brotherhood. It is about how Ohio State continues to cultivate not only great football players but also resilient young men who understand that success must be earned. For the Buckeye community, it is one more reason to celebrate the future, knowing that the newest class of players has fully embraced what it means to wear the scarlet and gray. With his black stripe gone, Witten joins a long line of Buckeyes who have proven themselves worthy of the standard, and his journey serves as a reminder that every milestone, whether reached early or late, is worth celebrating when it represents growth, perseverance, and the unwavering pursuit of excellence.
