The highest-ranked prospect from Ohio State's 2022 recruiting class is making his first career start to open his junior season.
With Mike linebacker Cody Simon out with injury and Sonny Styles sliding over to replace him, C.J. Hicks opened the Buckeyes' game against Akron at Will linebacker.
Hicks was a five-star prospect out of high school, considered the No. 7 overall recruit, No. 1 linebacker and No. 1 player from Ohio. He's made a minimal impact to this point during his time in Columbus, however, with 14 total tackles in two seasons including special teams work.
While Styles beat him out to start at Will this preseason camp, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has said the duo will rotate throughout the season and that the pair could be featured as the two linebackers in 4-2-5 packages to give Simon a break. With Simon out, Ohio State will get to test that look against the Zips.
“I consider C.J. a (first-team player). So you could see the combination there; you could see Sonny playing Mike and C.J. playing Will and Cody taking a rest,” Knowles said.
Stay tuned to Eleven Warriors for more updates from the Buckeyes' season-opener.
