For these three Ohio State football players, it's now or never

3. C.J. Hicks

C.J. Hicks had Ohio State football fans so excited when he was brought in as a five-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class. He was expected to help change a linebacker room that had struggled for the past few years. Hicks has a lot of talent but not a lot of production.

Hicks has just 14 tackles in two years, mostly on special teams. He was stuck behind Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg for each of the last two seasons. Both of those guys were pretty good by the time the left so that's understandable.

Still, Hicks has a shot to start this year for the Buckeyes. He has to fight Cody Simon and Sonny Styles for one of the two starting roles. He still has a ton of talent, he just hasn't gotten to show it yet. It's put up or shut up time for Hicks this season. I expect Hicks to do that.

If Hicks fails to produce though, he would become one of the most disappointing Ohio State football recruits in recent memory. For him not do impact the game in a meaningful way in four years as a former five-star recruit would be an extremely disappointing way to go through college.

Again, I don't expect that. I think Hicks will be really good this season. I think he'll be good next season as well. Of the three guys on this list, I expect him to be the best this year.