Ohio State freshman offensive lineman Jake Cook loses black stripe
COLUMBUS — Ohio State freshman offensive lineman Jake Cook began receiving praise from coaches and teammates during spring practice.
That has continued into training camp and culminated into a huge mark for the freshman interior lineman on Saturday: he lost his black stripe, a mark that he’s officially a part of the program moving forward.
Cook is the seventh Ohio State freshman to lose the black stripe from the 2025 recruiting class. He joins wide receiver Quincy Porter, linebacker Riley Pettijohn, tight end Nate Roberts, cornerback Devin Sanchez and safety Faheem Delane. Porter lost his during spring practice, while Pettijohn, Roberts and Sanchez shed theirs during the first week of training camp.
Delane and Cook are the latest two freshmen to see their hard work pay off with a black stripe removal.
Cook has been working as a second-team guard along the offensive line despite being a freshman — and a low-ranked prospect coming out of Westerville North High School in Central Ohio. He was the No. 422 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class. He was the No. 34 interior offensive lineman in his class and the No. 15 player in the state of Ohio.
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Cook is part of a three-man freshman offensive line class under first-year offensive line coach Tyler Bowen. He’s been impressive through the first two weeks of training camp ahead of his first year with the Buckeyes.
“I think they’re progressing,” Bowen said of his freshman offensive line group. “Jake’s done a great job. I think he’s picked up things really well. Jayvon [McFadden] was having some really good practices here. And then Carter [Lowe] has done a nice job. Carter’s still gotta get stronger up top. [Jayvon], he’s gotta continue gaining some weight. And Jake, he’s gotta continue improving his athleticism. But I think I like all three of those guys. They come in, work well every day. They’ve been a welcome add.”
Cook is making the most of his freshman season at Ohio State. His black stripe removal was another piece or proof to show that.