Eric Boggs
Two games into the 2024 season, C.J. Hicks finds himself in a challenging spot on Ohio State’s linebacker depth chart, losing ground to sophomore Arvell Reese. Coming into the year, Hicks was seen as a starting-caliber player, with defensive coordinator Jim Knowles expecting to rotate him alongside Sonny Styles and Cody Simon. Hicks even started the season opener against Akron, filling in for Simon at Will linebacker.
Despite making an early impact with a sack in that game, Hicks was overshadowed by Reese, who demonstrated better awareness and processing at the position. As a result, Reese was the first linebacker off the bench when Simon returned for Ohio State’s second game against Western Michigan. Reese has impressed coaches with his physicality and ability to play fast, earning considerable praise and solidifying his place among the top three linebackers.
Meanwhile, Hicks—once a top recruit in the 2022 class—has struggled to find consistent playing time. He’s matched his tackle total from last year in just two games but has also posted Ohio State’s lowest Pro Football Focus grade among defenders who have played more than 10 snaps. Knowles acknowledges that while Hicks has shown flashes of his playmaking ability, his consistency remains an issue.
There has been ongoing speculation about moving Hicks into a hybrid defensive end/linebacker role, where he could focus on rushing the passer, something Knowles said could suit his skill set. However, Ohio State’s depth at defensive end is strong, with players like Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, and Caden Curry in the mix, meaning Hicks will likely remain at linebacker for now.
Head coach Ryan Day has emphasized the need for Hicks to stay in the linebacker room, citing the importance of depth, especially with a long season ahead. Day and the coaching staff believe Hicks can still contribute in his current position and are working to help him find consistency.
“We need C.J. right now to play linebacker,” Day said. “We’ve seen him do it. It’s just about being consistent, and we believe in him. He’s got to continue to grow because we need him to be part of that group.”
For now, Hicks will need to fight for his role as Reese continues to rise in the ranks, and Ohio State works to maximize its linebacker rotation.
