We've got a Black Stripe Alert! The newest members of the Ohio State Brotherhood come in the form of a running back and a tight end. Four-star freshman tailback Favour Akih and three-star tight end Nick Lautar have shed their black stripe.
The news comes at a time when the Buckeyes are dealing with a rash of injuries, with a big one in the backfield. Running back Ja'Kobi Jackson will be out until at least the Michigan game after having surgery for a Lisfranc foot injury suffered during the Maryland game. Akih was rated as the No. 22 running back in the nation according to 247Sports composite rankings.
A speedster from Delaware, Ohio, Akih was known for explosive plays in his high school career. A star on the track team as well, Akih ran a personal best of 10.9 in the 100-meter dash and a time of 22.04 in the 200-meter dash in the spring of 2025. Even with all that speed, recruiting experts say he can run between the tackles, routinely breaking arm tackles. While he may not see much game time soon, Akih does add some much-needed depth to a room that is already thin.
🚨 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 🚨
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 23, 2026
A Buckeye through & through from the pride of Delaware, OH📍Welcome @FavourAkih 🌰 pic.twitter.com/U3Bg2Nvwit
The other black stripe removal added depth to the tight end room. Lautar, a Lebanon, Ohio native, was ranked as the No. 30 tight end prospect in the country according to 247Sports composite rankings. The coaching staff feels like they got a great prospect that flew under the recruiting radar as a late bloomer. Through seven games, Lautar has appeared in three, playing 17 snaps but has no recorded stats.
🚨 𝗕𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁 🚨
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 22, 2026
The TE Room just got a DUDE who’s ready for it all, Welcome @nicklautar8 🌰 pic.twitter.com/NJvfGViNcQ
Akih and Lautar become the fourth and fifth Buckeyes to lose their black stripe since the beginning of the football season, joining safety Deshawn Stewart, linebacker Cincere Johnson, and offensive lineman Max Riley.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State welcomes two freshmen to brotherhood, black stripes removed