Ryan Day offers early impression of freshman linebacker CJ Hicks

From the moment CJ Hicks stepped foot on Ohio State‘s campus in January as an early enrollee, head coach Ryan Day has seen his development first hand. Now, Hicks has developed enough to where Day feels comfortable playing him as a true freshman in Columbus.

Hicks was the No. 13 overall player and was the second highest-ranked prospect in the Buckeyes’ 2022 recruiting class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting services.

“When you’re a freshman and you come in in the summer five or 10 years ago, a lot different than when you come in in January like [Hicks] did, had a full spring under his belt all summer and now when you look at [Hicks], he almost looks like he’s one of the guys have been around for a while, so that’s good,” Day said. “But that’s a guy, for example, that’s going to be fun to watch him now go play.”

New Buckeyes defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who doubles as linebackers coach, said that Hicks is still trying to figure things out in terms of adjusting to the elite level of college football Ohio State is known for. The good thing for Hicks, according to Knowles, is that he has a slew of teammates in the Buckeyes linebackers room to help him navigate through his true freshman season.

In terms of talent, Ohio State returns the likes of Teradja Mitchell and Tommy Eichenberg back inside the defensive core. Day eventually brought in transfer DeaMonte Trayanum from Arizona State, and introduced incoming four-star recruit Gabe Powers into the fray this season as well.

With no lack of talent within the linebacking core of Ohio State, Hicks shouldn’t be discouraged with a lack of consistent minutes in the rotation. Though, Day is hopeful Hicks can mold into an instant-impact player come September.

“You don’t think of him a freshman as a freshman anymore – at least we don’t,” Day said. “So once we start getting to the preseason camp, hopefully he’s taking the next step.”