C.J. Hicks

Position:
Linebacker
Height:
6-3
Weight:
230
Hometown:
Dayton, Ohio
Last School:
Archbishop Alter
Year:
Sophomore

Ohio State Overview
• C.J. was part of Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class
• The senior and three-year Varsity O letter winner was moved from linebacker to a defensive end this spring to take advantage of his speed and strength, and he loves his new position
• He is a veteran of 40 games as a Buckeye - 12 games as a true freshman in 2022, 12 in 2023 and all 16 games in 2024 when Ohio State won the national championship
• He enters 2025 with 36 career tackles, including 20 solo stops and 17 assisted tackles, and 3.0 tackles-for-loss with two of those quarterback sacks
• His tackle totals include six as a freshman, nine as a sophomore and 22 as a junior in 2024
• His quarterback sacs came in 2024 vs. Akron and half-sacks vs. Michigan State and Northwestern
• Is majoring in human development and family services

More on C.J.
• C.J. was part of Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class
• He enrolled in classes in January 2022 along with 13 other members of his class
• A five-star prospect according to 247Sports and the No. 1-ranked player in Ohio for the Class of 2022
• Semifinalist for the Maxwell Club’s National High School Defensive Player of the Year award
• Was the nation’s No. 2-ranked linebacker
• A High School Butkus Award Finalist
• Recorded 84 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and two interceptions, one of which he returned 99 yards for a touchdown, as a senior in the fall of 2021
• Named Ohio’s Division III Defensive Player of the Year
• Chosen as the Division III Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021
• Started at linebacker, running back, kick returner and punt returner
• Amassed 1,442 all-purpose yards (667 rushing, 397 receiving) and nine touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball
• Is the son of Tiffane Hardin