Ohio State defensive end Qua Russaw sheds black stripe

COLUMBUS — Qua Russaw already has the experience from a top-level college football program that can help him at Ohio State. But he still needed to prove himself inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center for that to become a reality.

Thursday, it did. Russaw is the latest transfer to shed his black stripe, joining teammates Christian Alliegro, a Wisconsin transfer linebacker, former Florida State defensive back Earl Little Jr. and former LSU wide receiver Kyle Parker.

Both Alliegro and Parker lost theirs earlier this week. Now Russaw has joined them as official members of the Ohio State football program.

Russaw, a redshirt junior, appeared in nine games and made three starts last season at Alabama. He suffered a foot injury in the Crimson Tide’s win over Georgia and missed six games. When he was able to return, Yhonzae Pierre had established himself as the Wolf linebacker in Alabama’s defense — which limited Russaw’s snaps. Russaw finished the season with 14 tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.

After the season, he and fellow Crimson Tide defender James Smith, five-star prospects and high school teammates, entered the transfer portal. Both visited the Buckeyes and chose Ohio State just a few days later.

Now Russaw is in a defensive end room that features returning redshirt senior Kenyatta Jackson, Beau Atkinson, second-year defensive ends Zion Grady and Epi Sitanelei, as well as freshmen Dre Quinn and Khary Wilder.

And it’s clear that Russaw is making the most of his first seven practices at Ohio State, because now he has lost his black stripe, joining two impressive transfers into the Buckeyes program.

Ryan Day speaks about new transfer additions fitting in

Russaw’s black stripe removal is a clear sign that he’s fitting into the culture as the Buckeyes bring their transfers along.

“There’s no question that these guys haven’t played for the Buckeyes before,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “I mentioned it out there. There’s guys in that group right there that have scars here and that have had success here. There’s a lot of guys that haven’t played one snap here yet. All that comes into play this season. I guess we’re not unique to that, though. I guess it’s the same way across the country. It’s just something that we have to continue to figure out.”

Qua Russaw is now the latest transfer to show he’s officially a member of this Ohio State team.