Two weeks into the 2024 season, C.J. Hicks has seemingly already lost his place among Ohio State’s top three linebackers.
Going into the season, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he considered Hicks to be a starting-caliber player and indicated that he expected to find regular opportunities to get Hicks on the field alongside or in rotation with starters Sonny Styles and Cody Simon. Initially, that plan appeared to be on track when Hicks started Ohio State’s season opener against Akron at Will linebacker when Styles slid over to Mike linebacker to fill in for an injured Simon.