'Hungrier' Ohio State LB C.J. Hicks Wants To 'Make A Name' For Himself
Ohio State linebacker C.J. Hicks is the highest-rated linebacker recruit the Buckeyes have ever brought in, but last year he only recorded six tackles — 119 less than he recorded his senior year at Archbishop Alter.
Like other 2022 top defensive recruit, safety Sonny Styles, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said it's his job to find a spot for Hicks to get on the field. His talent doesn't do the Buckeyes any good if he's on the bench, and Hicks said he's ready to show off his skills in his sophomore season.
"I want to make a name for myself," Hicks said. "I want to show that I can be one of the best linebackers in the country, and I believe that I am one of the best linebackers in the country, so just carrying myself like that and understanding the system and playing in coach Knowles' roles and things like that."
However, in Knowles' 4-2-5, Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers will occupy both linebacker spots, so what would his role be in the defense?
"He's going to play at WILL (linebacker)," Knowles said. "He's going to play at JACK, and we're just going to always look for ways to get him in the game."
The JACK position is Knowles' caveat in his defensive scheme, where a player can stay close to the line of scrimmage and rush the passer or drop into coverage if needed.
Defensive end Jack Sawyer and linebacker Mitchell Melton were the two that occupied the JACK position last season, limiting Hicks' snap counts, something he said motivated him in the offseason.
"Not playing really opened my eyes, made me hungrier," Hicks said. "At the end of the day, you got to trust God's plan, what he has for you. Things happen the way it did for a reason."
Hicks said he looks up to linebackers San Francisco 49ers' Fred Warner and Cowboys' Micah Parsons, who plays a hybrid linebacker position in Dallas.
Knowles said after he installs the package where Hicks plays the JACK he will start working more with defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
Hicks said he's a fan of playing the JACK position because it allows him to be a versatile defender.
"I can be versatile, come off the edge and you play a lot faster off the edge," Hicks said. "I am very quick. That's one of my strong suits, and you put me on the edge, I don't really think there's tackles that can keep up with me."
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