We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 74 John Hicks
In his senior year as Ohio State's right tackle in 1973, John Hicks had one of the greatest seasons by an offensive lineman in college football history.
RT John Hicks
1970-73
b. March 21, 1951 (Cleveland, Ohio)
d. Oct. 30, 2016 (Columbus, Ohio)
- First-Team All-American (1972, 1973)
- First-Team All-Big Ten (1972, 1973)
- Outland Trophy (1973)
- Lombardi Award (1973)
- Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (1985)
- College Football Hall of Fame (2001)
- Rose Bowl Hall of Fame (2009)
Along with being awarded the Outland Trophy as college football's best lineman, and the Lombardi Award as college football's best lineman or linebacker, Hicks finished second in voting for the 1973 Heisman Trophy – the closest an offensive lineman has ever come to winning the Heisman in the two-platoon era.
Hicks was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes at right tackle. After first earning that role in 1970, Hicks missed the 1971 season with a knee injury. He came back stronger than ever in 1972, however, earning All-American honors in each of his final two seasons at Ohio State (unanimous in 1973).
The first player to ever start in three Rose Bowls, Hicks was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985, the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 2009.
Hicks was selected by the New York Giants with the No. 3 overall pick in the 1974 NFL draft, and played in 52 games over four seasons with the Giants before his career was cut short by injuries.
Hicks died in 2016, at the age of 65, due to complications from diabetes, but his legacy lives on as one of the best offensive linemen to ever wear the scarlet and gray.
––
Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
