Ohio State Football: Former 5-star linebacker deserves a chance
The Ohio State football team continues its Spring practices, and this former five-star linebacker deserves a chance at some playing time.
The Ohio State football team continues its march toward the annual Spring Game next week at Ohio Stadium. As positional battles heat up, there is one former top prospect who deserves a role on this defense next season.
Former five-star and Ohio native linebacker C.J. Hicks needs a defined role on this team for the 2023 season. For a player who didn’t receive any defensive snaps a season ago, he is just too talented for Jim Knowles and this Buckeye defense to no use. He displays excellent athletic ability coupled with good natural instincts. You could see it on special teams last season before his injury.
Hicks knows his time at linebacker will come in 2024. With Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg both returning for next season, he figures not to see much playing time at his natural position. But with Jack Sawyer returning to defensive end, there could be a role at the “Jack” position for Hicks to step right into.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said that position will be put on the shelf this off-season. But it’s an opportunity for this coaching staff to get this super-talented player on the field for a few snaps per game. And who knows, maybe he excels in the role and Ohio State would be forced to keep him on the field.
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Either way, Knowles needs to figure out a way to get this guy some playing time. He came in as the No. 7 overall recruit in the 2022 class and it’s time for him to see some action. He surely will be playing on special teams, but ultimately his playing time on defense will come down to how creative Jim Knowles can get in order to get his best athletes on the field.