COLUMBUS, Ohio –– Freshman quarterback Kyle McCord is now the second Buckeye to shed his Black Stripe since Ohio State opened fall camp last week.

McCord, a four-star prospect and the No. 34 overall prospect in the class of 2021, has been embroiled in a three-man position battle with true freshman C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller to find the replacement for first-round NFL Draft pick Justin Fields.

“I feel like I put a lot of work into this offseason, physically, mentally, to put myself in the best position possible," McCord said when camp began. "But at the end of the day, I guess we'll see. I could stand up here and say, ‘I feel great,’ but I guess we'll see once the pads come out."

Both Stroud and Miller had previously shed their Black Stripes on the same day in October of last year.

Stroud, who is the odds on favorite to be named the new starter in Columbus any day now, has been first in nearly every quarterback drill line that has been open to the media since fall camp began. More often than not, Miller has taken second-team reps, with McCord working third in the line.

Ohio State freshman cornerback Denzel Burke became the first Buckeye to lose his Black Stripe during fall camp just a couple days ago.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said at Big Ten Media Days on July 23 that he expects to name an official starting quarterback around the two-week mark of fall camp.

Day is expected to next meet with media on Monday, following a Saturday scrimmage in Columbus. That date could be a logical point for Day to make the announcement.