Nolan Baudo, a sophomore wide receiver at Ohio State University, became the Buckeyes’ newest official member on Tuesday after losing his black stripe following practice.
Baudo, a Chicago, Ill., native who was a former high school teammate of fellow Buckeyes wide receiver Carnell Tate at Chicago Marist, joined the program last June as a preferred walk-on. He played limited practice behind Ohio State’s highly touted wide receivers but played every game and even traveled with the team to the Cotton Bowl last season.
Despite limited playing time, Baudo managed to make his mark on the team during his short time in Columbus. In an informal poll of players, about 47 percent of players answered “Buado” when asked “Who do you hang out with?”, establishing him as a popular and respected player among his teammates.
“I think that just plays a big part in the preferred walk-on position: being a humble person, knowing your role and staying in your lane,” Baudo told the Columbus Dispatch in 2023. “Just going to work every single day, no matter the circumstances.”
“On paper, your team can be great. If we don’t have team chemistry and leaders, you don’t have it all,” Baudo told the Beverly Review this offseason. “That was important to me. I talked more last spring about building those friendships and relationships. I should be responsible for holding everyone to the same standard.”
Baudo is the 18th Buckeye to lose his black stripe this offseason and the second walk-on. He was previously wide receiver Brennen Schramm, who lost his stripe on March 21 along with true freshman Jeremiah Smith. Baudo was the second Buckeye to receive the award following Tuesday’s practice. He was previously freshman cornerback Aaron Scott, who became the 10th member of the 2023 recruiting class to lose his black stripe.
