Ohio State football: I was wrong about Ronnie Hickman
By Del Barris
Ronnie Hickman was never the favorite to become the starter at the Bullet position on the Ohio State team’s defense. Everyone, myself included, favored Craig Young. At 6’3” and 223 pounds, Young looked to be the perfect size for the hybrid linebacker/safety role. I thought Hickman was too small, would have trouble around the line of scrimmage at just 205 pounds, and wouldn’t be effective. Was I ever wrong about Ronnie Hickman.
We began hearing rumblings during preseason camp that Hickman might be overtaking Young, so it was not really a surprise to see him start the season-opening game against Minnesota. What surprises me is he is easily the team’s leading tackler through four games and is averaging over eight stops per game.
Hickman always seems to be around the play. Considering the struggles at middle linebacker so far, this team needs a guy who flies to the ball. He routinely takes on bigger players and still finds a way to get in on the tackle. His ability to play near the line of scrimmage one play, move back to allow the Buckeyes to give a two-safety look the next, and look comfortable doing both is exactly what you want for a Bullet.
The Wayne, New Jersey native has also been good in coverage. He leads the team with two interceptions, including a gem against Akron last week. When the Zips’ tight end ran a shallow crossing route, Hickman closed quickly from the middle of the field.
He set himself up to make the tackle, but the ball was bobbled. The next thing you know Hickman somehow has the football and is waltzing towards the end zone with not an Akron player in sight. You’ll be seeing that one replayed a lot this year.
Ronnie Hickman’s performance so far should not be surprising. He was a top-ten safety when the Ohio State football program recruited him. When he got the chance to play against Michigan State last year, he was around the ball a lot. He’s a playmaker on a defense that has needed them so far this season.
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The hope is more playmakers begin to emerge on the Ohio State defense. If that happens, the defense you see entering November will not resemble the one we saw early in the season.