Tale of the Tape: Knowing the basics of Buckeyes linebackers

COLUMBUS — Lettermen Row is kicking off Linebackers Week by taking a look at the basics of the linebackers at Ohio State. Let’s dive in.

Fifth-year linebacker Cody Simon

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 235 pounds

High school: St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, New Jersey)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Cody Simon was ranked as the No. 61 overall player in the country, the No. 10 linebacker and the No. 1 player in the state of New Jersey in the class of 2020.

Picked Buckeyes over: Simon picked Ohio State over Nebraska and Notre Dame.

Stats at Ohio State: Simon has 147 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks, one interception, four passes deflected and a forced fumble.

Third-year linebacker C.J. Hicks

Height: 6-foot-3

Weight: 233 pounds

High school: Archbishop Alter (Dayton, Ohio)

On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star C.J. Hicks was ranked as the No. 14 overall player in the country, the No. 2 linebacker and the No. 2 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2022.

Picked Buckeyes over: Hicks picked Ohio State over nearly every other program in the country. He did so early in the recruiting cycle, becoming an ace recruiter for the Buckeyes.

Stats at Ohio State: Hicks has 14 career tackles at Ohio State.

Third-year linebacker Gabe Powers

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 242 pounds

High school: Marysville (Marysville, Ohio)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Gabe Powers was ranked as the No. 115 overall player in the country, the No. 9 linebacker and the No. 7 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2022.

Picked Buckeyes over: Powers picked Ohio State over nearly every other program in the Midwest. He did so early in the recruiting cycle.

Stats at Ohio State: Powers has seven career tackles at Ohio State.

Third-year Sonny Styles

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 235 pounds

High school: Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio)

On3 Industry Ranking: Five-star Sonny Styles was ranked as the No. 4 overall player in the country, the No. 2 athlete and the No. 1 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2022, even after reclassifying into a new recruiting class.

Picked Buckeyes over: Styles chose Ohio State over Notre Dame, Clemson, Florida, and Ole Miss, among others.

Stats at Ohio State: Styles had 62 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one pass deflection and a forced fumble in his first two seasons at Ohio State.

Second-year linebacker Arvell Reese

Height: 6-foot-4

Weight: 238 pounds

High school: Glenville (Cleveland, Ohio)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Arvell Reese was ranked as the No. 187 overall player in the country, the No. 20 linebacker and the No. 5 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2023.

Picked Buckeyes over: Reese picked Ohio State over Alabama, Michigan and others.

On3 Scouting summary: One of the more physically-gifted linebacker prospects in the 2023 cycle. Measured at over 6-foot-3, and around 220 pounds with a 32.75-inch arm prior to his senior season. Gained around 20 pounds after the end of his junior year. Turned in multiple 4.65 second 40-yard dash times at a regional camp prior to his senior season. Played a portion of his junior year, working as a linebacker. Showed tantalizing range, athleticism and striking power in the small sample. Has the speed and athleticism to run sideline to sideline. Plants ball carriers on impact. Also has the ability to rush off the edge on passing downs. Transferred to traditional power Glenville prior to his senior season. Has one of the higher upsides among linebackers in the 2023 cycle, but has a smaller body of work at this time.

Freshman linebacker Garrett Stover

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 220 pounds

High school: Big Walnut (Sunbury, Ohio)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Garrett Stover was ranked as the No. 140 overall player in the country, the No. 8 linebakcer and the No. 7 player in the state of Ohio in the class of 2024.

Picked Buckeyes over: Stover picked the Buckeyes over Notre Dame very early in the recruiting cycle.

On3 scouting report from Charles Power: Versatile defender who pairs instincts and toughness with athleticism. Checked in at between 6-foot and 6-foot-1 and around 210 pounds prior to his senior year. Registers as a good athlete. Consistently runs in the 11.2 second range in the 100 meters. Worked as a safety and running back for his high school as a senior. Plays with outstanding effort level on Friday nights. Flies around the field and makes impressive chase down plays in pursuit. Instinctual. Sees the play and diagnoses quickly. Sound form tackler despite playing with a cast on his right arm as a senior. Capable of delivering some big hits as a striker when he has room to build up steam. Very comfortable in coverage given his experience as a safety. Looks like a natural in space. Also saw time as a running back, using his athleticism to break off long runs. Has a smaller frame and lacks length. May end up as a hybrid type linebacker/safety due to frame limitations. Will need to add mass to hold up as a downhill run defender. Older for the cycle, turning 18 years-old in the spring prior to his senior season. Cousin of Ohio State tight end Cade Stover.

First-year linebacker Payton Pierce

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 223 pounds

High school: Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas)

On3 Industry Ranking: Four-star Payton Pierce was ranked as the No. 218 overall player in the country, the No. 18 linebakcer and the No. 37 player in the state of Texas in the class of 2024.

Picked Buckeyes over: Stover picked the Buckeyes over Notre Dame very early in the recruiting cycle.