Buckeyes freshman safety Faheem Delane sheds black stripe

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has been seeing steady progress from first-year safety Faheem Delane throughout training camp. The program decided he’s ready to officially become a Buckeyes player.

Delane lost his black stripe after the second scrimmage of training camp on Saturday.

The No. 73 overall prospect from the class of 2025 was the No. 6 safety in the country and No. 2 player in the state of Maryland has been flashing during the last few weeks and even turned a few heads back in March and April when he went through his first round of spring practice with the Buckeyes.

No, Delane won’t be a starting safety for the Buckeyes as a true freshman. Those jobs are taken by veteran All-American defensive back Caleb Downs and either Jaylen McClain or Malik Hartford. The Ohio State secondary is loaded with talent.

Delane adds to the depth of it for now, but he can be a star down the road for the Buckeyes.

His scouting summary from his days as a four-star recruit in Olney, Maryland, tells us he was going to be good immediately.

Here is that scouting report from On3’s Cody Bellaire:

Violent, downhill safety prospect who plays with a mean streak. Physical and tenacious player that forces receivers to plays with their head on a swivel. Strong trigger and ability to run the alley from deep safety. Striker that detonates ball carriers on impact. Very comfortable around the box and could potentially develop into a big nickel or extra backer in sub packages. Good ball skills and ability to high point the football. Need to see more when it comes to his man cover ability, but has the ability to walk in a play an important role in the run game as soon as he arrives on campus.

Delane is living up to that early in his Ohio State career. Now he’s taking a huge step forward in his push to earn a role for the defending national champs. His black stripe is off two weeks before the regular season starts.