C.J. Hicks knows that this season is his last chance to make an impact at Ohio State.
He also believes that he’s finally playing a position that will enable him to fulfill the promise that made him a five-star recruit three years ago.
After failing to gain a foothold at linebacker, Hicks has been moved to defensive end, specifically as an edge rusher.
“I feel the change to edge fits my play style a lot more,” the Dayton native said Tuesday. “It allows me to be more aggressive, and when it’s time to get to the quarterback, I can get to the quarterback.”
Hicks had three sacks last year as a blitzer, but he played only 151 defensive snaps, 18th on the team. According to Pro Football Focus, Hicks had just one snap in each of the Oregon and Texas games in the College Football Playoff and none against Notre Dame.
That’s hardly what he or anyone else at Ohio State envisioned at the start of his career.
“It’s been a long four years,” he said. “But I’m happy where I am and I’m just going to continue to keep growing.”
Hicks has added around seven pounds since last year as he transitioned to the defensive line and now weighs 240. He said the plan is for him to play at 245 pounds this season.
With Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau gone, Hicks will have a chance for significant playing time. Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson are the projected starters at defensive end, but Hicks will have every chance to be in the rotation, especially as part of OSU’s “Rushmen” package on passing downs.
“A lot of people think because I am 240 pounds, I don’t have any power,” he said. “But I can definitely run through somebody’s face if I need to.”
Former…
Source link : https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/football/2025/03/26/ohio-state-football-cj-hicks-position-switch-defensive-end/82650272007/
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Publish date : 2025-03-26 10:02:00
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