Jeremiah Smith, the heralded freshman wide receiver for Ohio State, became the first of the Buckeyes’ early enrollees to see their black stripe removed during spring practice.

The program announced Thursday afternoon that Smith lost his stripe following their fourth practice.

Smith was the top-ranked prospect in the nation in the most recent recruiting cycle and has drawn plenty of praise during his first three months at Ohio State.

The latest came earlier in the day from Brian Hartline, the co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach who commended his work ethic.

“I love the way he lives,” Hartline said. “I love the way he approaches things. I love the questions he asks. I love the way he makes mistakes and then corrects mistakes. It’s very veteran-like.”

Carnell Tate, a fellow wide receiver, was the first in last year’s freshman class to lose his stripe, dropping it after the fifth spring practice.

Freshmen and transfers don a black stripe on their helmet that is to be shed in a rite of passage over their first year with the Buckeyes. Once gone, the scarlet stripe that lines the gray helmet is seen.

According to OSU's definition, "The black stripe is a symbol of buying in to the program and conducting yourself the right way on and off the field. Having the black stripe removed is a notable distinction and a cause for celebration."

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch and can be reached at jkaufman@dispatch.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football freshman Jeremiah Smith loses black stripe