Buckeyes cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. sheds black stripe

COLUMBUS — Ohio State freshman cornerback Aaron Scott Jr. is learning to play for the Buckeyes behind some of the best defensive backs in the country. Now he can officially say he is a part of that loaded defensive room.

Scott lost his black stripe after practice Tuesday, just a few days before the Buckeyes open their season against Akron.

Scott has been pushing and pushing all offseason, making strides after opening spring with some growing pains. The veteran defensive backs have been impressed with what he has put on the field.

But the Buckeyes are also making sure Scott is ready before injecting him into a game.

“He’s in that mix of stuff,” Buckeyes cornerbacks coach Tim Walton said a couple of weeks ago. “It’s got to play out a little bit more over time. You have to make sure it’s a true evaluation on how it’s going on all situations and all days stacked up.

“… We have a deep room. We have some guys that have experience. We have some good young guys that have talent. They have to gain experience. You’re usually going to do that through game days.”

Still, Walton and the Buckeyes are excited to have Scott in the program, as he begins making plays and turning heads in his freshman season.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day and the rest of the program were certainly excited for the addition of Scott when they signed him out of Springfield High School in December.

“Aaron Scott was a huge addition for us,” Day said. “Tim Walton did a great job recruiting Aaron. He had a great season this year. He played quarterback when he needed to. They started off kind of rocky this year and then brought their their team all the way to the state finals.

“Big-time player out of the state of Ohio that’s going to be a big part of our future.”

Scott will be a big part of the future at Ohio State. Now he’s officially a member of the current room after shedding his black stripe.