Signed: Five-star C.J. Hicks gives Ohio State its next potential great linebacker
The Early-Signing Period is here and Ohio State is set to once again bring in one of the country’s best recruiting classes. Lettermen Row is tracking the Buckeyes recruiting news throughout the signing period as 2022 commitments officially join the Ohio State football program. The latest Letter of Intent is in: C.J. Hicks has signed with the Buckeyes.
COLUMBUS – C.J. Hicks grew into arguably the best linebacker in the prospect in the Class of 2022 over his final two years of high school.
Hicks, out of Ohio’s Archbishop Alter High School and the highest-priority recruit for Ohio State in the 2022 class, has signed his Letter of Intent with the Buckeyes.
What does this addition do for Ohio State? Let’s break it down.
Who is C.J. Hicks?
C.J. Hicks is a 6-foot-3, 210-pound five-star linebacker who committed to Ohio State on May 1, 2020.
On3 Consensus Ranking: 13 overall, 2 LB, 2 Ohio
On3 Ranking: 22 overall, 2 LB, 3 Ohio
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
High School: Archbishop Alter
Scouting summary: “C.J. Hicks is a well-rounded, versatile linebacker with very few holes as a prospect. Athletic, tough and instinctive, making plays in all three phases. Showing high-end play speed at linebacker as a senior with the ability to quickly diagnose, close and finish plays. Physical, explosive finisher with striking power. Providing to be effective as a blitzer and in pursuit. Showcases his ball skills and coordination as a receiver and running back on offense. Began his career as a defensive back prior to growing into an obvious linebacker prospect. Checks the boxes from a measurables standpoint at over 6-foot-2, 210 pounds with very good athleticism for the position.” – Charles Power, On3 director of scouting and rankings
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How did he end up at Ohio State?
The Buckeyes coaching staff knew that Hicks was one of the highest-caliber talents in Ohio – and in the country – from a young age. One of those moments came during the summer between his freshman and sophomore years when former Ohio State assistant coach Jeff Hafley used him as the example for other players at a Buckeyes camp to demonstrate how to do defensive back drills properly for the other campers.
Ohio State wanted to see how Hicks developed before offering him, and it did so in April 2020. Once he was offered, it was clear that he was all Buckeyes, and he committed less than a month later over Penn State, Michigan, Notre Dame and other schools across the Midwest and around the country.
There was never even a small hint of actual wavering from Hicks, and he became the leader in peer recruiting, helping build a potential top-five class. He brings an edge to Ohio State as one of the program’s next potential great linebackers.
