Scarlet Sunrise: Ronnie Hickman, Trey Sermon making case for NFL roster spots in preseason
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Ronnie Hickman, Trey Sermon making case for NFL roster spots in preseason
Ronnie Hickman intercepted three passes in his four-year Ohio State career.
The undrafted safety has already matched that pick total with the Cleveland Browns. After recording two interceptions last week against the Washington Commanders, Hickman snagged one more Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles when he capitalized on a Marcus Mariota overthrow.
After diving for the takeaway, and making clean catch in the process, Hickman was swarmed by his Browns teammates.
Hickman did leave the game early but was cleared after being evaluated for a concussion.
Hickman’s first pick of the preseason came at the end of the first half when Commanders quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who started 11 games for the Browns last season, heaved up a deep ball for sixth-year receiver Byron Pringle.
Brissett thought he had a 1-on-1 matchup. But then Hickman flew into frame for the leaping interception near the goal line.
Hickman’s second pick of the night saw him wrestle a Jake Fromm pass away from Commanders tight end Curtis Hodges.
Hickman wound up being the highest-graded safety (90.3) in Week 1 of the NFL preseason, according to Pro Football Focus. He was also credited for five tackles and allowed just 26 receiving yards on three targets, per PFF. Hickman did give up a touchdown in coverage, but that was overshadowed by his two picks. Hickman has mostly been lining up at free safety for the Browns, a position he played last season for Ohio State in the “adjuster” role.
On the other side of the field Thursday night was former Ohio State running back Trey Sermon, who is in his third NFL season and second with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Sermon played just two games for the Eagles last season and logged two carries for 19 yards. His career started in San Francisco with the 49ers. They drafted him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
During Sermon’s one-year stint with the 49ers, he made his first career start in Week 3 and promptly scored a rushing touchdown. But that was the highlight of a rookie season, in which he ended up on IR because of a late-season ankle injury.
With the Eagles, Sermon has been competing for a spot in a crowded running back room: first in 2022 and now, again, in 2023.
He found the end zone the first week of the preseason against the Baltimore Ravens and finished that outing with 21 yards on nine totes.
Then, against the Browns Thursday, Sermon bounced back from a fumble on a screen pass with a rumbling 33-yard touchdown run. Sermon finished with a team-high 54 rushing yards on five carries.
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Sermon’s resilience in the moment could go a long way in him sticking it out with the Eagles. But he still has an uphill battle for a roster spot, given that the Eagles also have D’Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, Rashaad Penny and Boston Scott at the running back position.
Regardless, the fight of Sermon, as well as Hickman, is notable.
Five in-state prospects without Ohio State offers to watch this fall
With the Big Ten expanding to 18 teams in 2024, recruiting in its backyard will be more important than ever for Ohio State.
At the moment, the Buckeyes have eight in-state commits in their 2024 class. Their next two classes also already feature highly-touted Ohio prospects: quarterback Tavien St. Clair from Bellefontaine in the 2025 cycle and wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. from Cincinnati in the 2026 cycle.
In addition to following the current in-state Buckeyes commits, it’s critical to keep tabs on other prospects in Ohio who hold Power Five offers and could emerge as Ohio State targets this season.
Lettermen Row picked out five of those prospects, in the 2024 class and beyond.
For the rundown, go here.
Five Buckeyes who can rise up depth chart with impressive scrimmage
Ohio State is holding its second scrimmage of training camp Saturday. The Buckeyes’ quarterback battle is still ongoing, as is the competition for three offensive line starting spots, among other first-team roles.
With two weeks until the Buckeyes’ season opener at Indiana, things are starting to come together for the 2023 iteration of Ohio State.
That said, depth chart mobility still exists. Lettermen Row is highlighting five Buckeyes players who can climb the ladder with an impressive showing Saturday.
Check it out here.
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 14 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 99 days
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