C.J. Hicks did what he needed to do this spring to put himself in position for a breakout season on Ohio State’s defense in 2024.
Two years into his Ohio State career, Hicks has played only 75 defensive snaps. While that was partially due to being blocked on the linebacker depth chart by Tommy Eichenberg, Steele Chambers and Cody Simon, Ohio State coaches had also indicated they needed to see more from Hicks in practice before they’d feel comfortable playing him regularly on defense.
While coaches are still pushing for more consistency on a day-to-day basis from Hicks, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis saw substantial improvement from the five-star prospect this spring, which could lead to Hicks playing a sizable role this fall.
“I think C.J. Hicks has done a phenomenal job,” Laurinaitis said in April. “You gotta keep pressing him and making sure that he's really tapping into everything that he can offer. I think C.J. sees the opportunity, and he’s certainly making a case to get on the field this fall. So I think it's been a really good spring for C.J.
“There's just always, whenever you have a good day, you got to follow it up by another good day and kind of stack days. And I think that's what a pro does. You want to be a pro, you got to keep stacking them, that's the expectation. And I think he's had some really good days and then he's had some days where you're like, you're trying to push him a little bit. But I think C.J., where he is now compared to where he was last fall, he's a lot better football player.”
Hicks was among the standouts during scrimmages that were open to the media this spring, including the spring game, in which he led all players with eight tackles. The Dayton native’s athleticism with his activity around the ball, and that’s what defensive coordinator Jim Knowles believes the Buckeyes need to harness this season.
“Yes,” Knowles answered after the spring game when asked if Hicks had made the strides necessary this spring to be a potential starter this fall. “I think C.J. has shown that he has talent, and I think it's my job to put him in the best situations for him because he can be a force. He's much better when he's blitzing or he's directed because he's able to use his athletic ability, but he has certainly shown that he's going to be able to help this defense.”
While Hicks has always had the physical tools to be an eventual standout linebacker for the Buckeyes, he’s needed some time to acclimate to the speed of the collegiate game mentally. But Simon has seen significant growth in that area from Hicks this offseason.
“He doesn't lack anything physically, so I think him getting better in the film room and studying and doing all that little stuff, the stuff that no one really sees, I think that's where he's gotten a lot better,” Simon said. “It'll pay off down the road for him, 100%.”
“I think the biggest part about linebacker is diagnosing everything on the field. It's never one thing. It's never being locked into one job. You're kind of responsible for everything. And it's very hard. Tommy can tell you, even Tuf (Borland) back in the day. That stuff takes time. And everyone's different. So I think now he's starting to get it more and more. And I'm just happy for him because it takes a lot of work, a lot of film, a lot of preparation to be able to dissect offenses and get into that mode.”
“I think C.J., where he is now compared to where he was last fall, he's a lot better football player.”– James Laurinaitis on C.J. Hicks
Hicks is currently competing with fellow five-star junior Sonny Styles – who he considers one of his closest friends – for the only vacant starting spot on Ohio State’s defense at Will linebacker. Hicks took most of the first-team reps at that position during the spring game, a possible indicator that he’s the frontrunner to start at Will, though Styles was in his first spring practicing at linebacker after starting 12 games at safety in 2023.
Regardless of who starts, Knowles and Laurinaitis expect both Hicks and Styles to play roles in Ohio State’s defense this year. While three-linebacker packages are likely to consist of Hicks at Will, Styles at Sam and Simon at Mike, Knowles said Hicks – who, like Styles, played safety for part of his high school career – has also been practicing at Sam as Ohio State looks for multiple possible ways to use his talent.
“You get into a three-linebacker package, Sonny, Cody and C.J., you’re pretty good. But you can’t just have one guy. So if Sonny’s not there at the Sam, then C.J.’s gotta know how to play it too, so that you can bring Gabe (Powers) in at Mike and Cody can play Will and you still have a great lineup,” Knowles said in March. “So C.J. has to know both positions.”
Knowles has also talked about Hicks as a possible candidate to play the Jack position as a hybrid linebacker/defensive end off the edge, though that package seems likely to remain seldom-used if at all in 2024 with the depth and talent the Buckeyes have at DE.
No matter where he lines up, Hicks says his mindset is to do his job and try to make a play every time he’s on the field.
“Every time I'm out on that field, I'm going to treat it like it's my game rep or I'm fighting for a spot, because even now I'm fighting for a spot,” Hicks said this spring.
As Hicks was the No. 7 overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, it’s always been seen as a matter of when not if Hicks will become an impact player for the Buckeyes. Now that he’s entering the back half of his Ohio State career, however, there’s an added sense of urgency for Hicks to start making a difference for the defense.
Knowles recognizes the weight those expectations can carry, but he’s been pleased with Hicks’ buy-in into Ohio State’s long-term vision for his career.
“C.J.’s got a great attitude. I’ve always felt that C.J. has a lot of pressure on him, being from Ohio. But he’s coachable, he understands growth and our plan for him,” Knowles said.
Hicks says he hasn’t paid much attention to the outside noise surrounding him, but he is hungry to prove he can be the player he’s confident he can be.
“I never really paid attention to what the media said,” Hicks said. “I have expectations for myself, so I have more pressure on myself than anything else. But I didn't really feel anything different from anybody. I just have things that I live by for myself.”
Hicks didn’t want to say this spring what his individual goals are for the 2024 season. More than anything else, Hicks wants to help Ohio State achieve its three major team goals, none of which it has in his first two years as a Buckeye.
“Personally, my goals that I have for myself, I’m gonna keep those private. But beat the team up north, win the Big Ten championship and win the national championship,” Hicks said. “Play as a team and make sure we all get there.”
