Why Ohio State linebacker C.J. Hicks believes he's ready for a breakthrough season
C.J. Hicks arrived on campus two years ago as the top-ranked member of the Ohio State’s recruiting class and 10th-ranked recruit nationally.
That’s accompanied by pressure, and Hicks probably felt it as the linebacker struggled to earn his way to significant playing time. He tried to, as he put it, “be perfect every snap.”
That probably caused him to overthink and not just react as he fought for playing time behind multi-year starter Steele Chambers. He played only 75 snaps last year, 22nd on the team.
Now, as the Dayton native gets set for a bigger role this year in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ scheme, he’s just cutting loose.
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“I just go,” he said. “If I mess up, I mess up. I’m going to talk to coach Knowles if I do and get back on it, but I’m going to pull my trigger. That’s the main thing he talks about (with) the whole defense: Don’t hesitate. That’s what my thing was, because I was trying to be so perfect.”
Hicks now understands the defense thoroughly, so he believes he’s ready to make a breakthrough at weakside linebacker.
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Still, the competition is fierce to get on the field. In its base defense, OSU uses only two linebackers. Fifth-year middle linebacker Cody Simon is the unit’s unquestioned leader, and the ultra-talented Sonny Styles has been moved from safety to weakside linebacker.
“Sonny and I both talk about it a lot,” Hicks said. “We don’t really care who starts as long as both of us are eating. He can start and I can go in, or I can start and he goes in. As long as we’re both making plays, that’s all that matters to us.”
The 6-foot-3, 233-pound Hicks can be an every-down linebacker, but blitzing might be his calling card.
“I think he’s probably the best blitzer in our room,” linebackers coach James Laurinaitis said. “Arvell (Reese) might have an argument with that. I’m sure Sonny wants to have an argument with that. But C.J. just makes things happen when you send him.”
Hicks went even further.
“I feel like when you need a play – it’s third-and-long and you need somebody to get to the quarterback – I’m that guy, no matter who the D-ends are,” he said. “I love our D-linemen, but I feel like I’m the best when (in getting) to the quarterback.”
Ohio State’s defense ranked second nationally in points allowed and third in yards allowed last year. But it ranked only 64 in sacks with 28 and 121st in turnovers caused with 11.
Improving those numbers is a priority, and Hicks could be an integral part of that.
“He’s super strong, super violent with his hands,” Simon said. “It shows on film. We’re really excited about that because he could play a really big role on our defense.”
Simon said Hicks impressed him with his attitude during his first two years as a backup.
“For us, it’s really about being selfless, and he’s been the perfect teammate,” he said. “He’s been so good with that.”
But now, after two years of waiting, Hicks is more than ready to make his mark on the field.
“I’ve got my confidence back,” he said.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: With blitzing his calling card, OSU LB C.J. Hicks is ready to blossom
