The biggest recruiting weekend of the spring started with a bang for Ohio State when Wayne, New Jersey, DePaul Catholic four-star athlete “Rocket” Ronnie Hickman pledged his services to the Buckeyes during an unofficial visit for the program’s annual Spring Game on Friday evening.
Dreams really do come true! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/hZbUtBZifU
— Ronnie Hickman (@asvprocket_) April 14, 2018
The Hickman File
- Class: 2019
- Size: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds
- Pos: S
- School: DePaul Catholic (Wayne, NJ)
- Composite Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: 13 (ATH)
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Hickman is considered the 13th-best athlete and No. 124 prospect overall in the Class of 2019, though Ohio State plans to move him to safety at the next level. He picked the Buckeyes over finalists Florida, Notre Dame, Penn State, Rutgers and Virginia Tech.
Hickman’s decision comes almost one year to the day after he landed an offer from Ohio State. And from that very moment, it seemed as if he was destined to be a Buckeye.
“It means everything. It's just a dream come true," Hickman told Eleven Warriors at the time. “[I’ve been a fan] ever since I could walk."
Hickman has been to campus six times since defensive coordinator Greg Schiano extended the offer last April, including the 48-3 win over Michigan State in October. His most recent trip to Columbus came just days after Ohio State put the finishing touches on its last recruiting class, which only solidified his standing as one of the staff’s top targets. He and his parents spent a considerable amount of time that weekend with Schiano, head coach Urban Meyer and new co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Alex Grinch, which pretty much sealed the deal in his recruitment.
“I really got to see everything I needed to see,” Hickman said. “All my questions were answered. I got to see how [Grinch] coaches the game and who he really is. I think he’s a great guy and a great coach.”
As mentioned, Hickman narrowed down his list of nearly 20 offers to six earlier this week. Having previously indicated a decision may come in the near future, it was no surprise to see him make the call during the visit.
“[The biggest factors will be in my decision will be] how comfortable I feel at the school and he opportunities the school has to offer on the field and off,” Hickman said.
Hickman becomes the fourth member of Ohio State's Dynasty '19 recruiting class, joining Indiana four-star running back Sampson James, West Virginia four-star offensive tackle Doug Nester and Mentor three-star offensive tackle Ryan Jacoby.
