Ohio State LBs Seize Spring Opportunity With Extra Playing Time

Down two starting linebackers in the spring game, the Ohio State Buckeyes' backups stepped in and filled some big shoes Saturday.

Author:
Casey Smith
Apr 15, 2023 7:49 PM EDT

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Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes were without their two starting linebackers from a season ago in Saturday's Spring Game, as Tommy Eichenberg is recovering from offseason surgery and Steele Chambers is on crutches.

Enter Cody Simon, C.J. Hicks and Gabe Powers.

Powers led all tacklers with eight, as Hicks was on his heels tied for the second-most at six, while Simon had five.

Though Eichenberg and Chambers are likely to return by preseason camp, Simon said after the game he's embracing Ohio State's "next man up mentality."

"We knew we were going to have Tommy down and Steele went out, and the most important part is getting the young guys to be able to be ready and I think we did a great job," Simon said. "Those guys stepped up a lot this spring. They got a lot of reps, a lot of important reps we need for the season. I'm feeling really optimistic about our linebacker progression and our depth."

Hicks came into Ohio State with a lot of expectations as the No. 7 player in the country out of Archbishop Alter High School in Dayton, OH. in the class of 2022.

Last season, his opportunities — like many others in the linebacker room — were limited due to the emergence of Eichenberg and Chambers as a solid one-two punch in the middle of defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' defense.

In addition to six tackles, Hicks also tied with safety Sonny Styles for the most pass breakups in the spring game with two.

Simon said Hicks — who, coming out of high school, was compared to San Francisco 49ers tackling machine Fred Warner — "can make any play he wants to make."

"His athleticness and his aggressiveness is top level," Simon said. "Definitely his biggest step has been the mental side of the game, especially this spring. From the first practices with the team, he's making so many more reads and so much more communicative and just such a more mature player just from these first 15 practices."

In 2022, Simon had the most tackles from a linebacker not named Eichenberg or Chambers with 32, as Hicks had six. Powers did not see the field during his true freshman season.

Simon said he's "thankful" defensive graduate assistant James Laurinaitis is able to impart his wisdom to the linebackers room.

"Having coach Laurinaitis in the room, it's just so much knowledge around the game, around playing linebacker," Simon said. "It's tenfold in how much it helps, so we're so thankful to have coach in there and all the young guys."