Linebacker C.J. Hicks, Safety Malik Hartford Expected To Redshirt In 2025 Season For Ohio State

Two Buckeyes are choosing to retain their eligibility for another season of college football.

According to Josh Poloha and Dan Hope of Eleven Warriors, Ohio State senior linebacker C.J. Hicks and junior safety Malik Hartford are expected to redshirt this season. Hicks nor Hartford played in No. 1 Ohio State’s 42-3 victory over Minnesota in the ‘Shoe Oct. 4. 

Both Hicks and Hartford played in the Buckeyes first four contests, though neither was able to carve out significant time or earn a starting role. 

Despite entering the season with a chance to compete for a starting defensive end position, over the first four games, Hicks played just 50 snaps for Ohio State totaling six tackles (two solo) and one tackle for loss. He’s been the Buckeyes 4th defensive end on the depth chart, behind senior starters Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and backup transfer Beau Atkinson. 

With the absence of Hicks for the remainder of the season it could clear room for freshmen Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei as well as junior transfer Logan George to earn playing time behind the Buckeyes starting duo of Curry and Jackson.

Like Hicks, Hartford also began fall camp with a chance to take Ohio State’s starting role, however, the West Chester, Ohio native was beat out by sophomore Jaylen McClain for the strong safety role spot next to free safety Caleb Downs. 

Hartford recorded just two tackles for the Buckeyes this season and has yet to see any action on the first team alongside Downs, McClain and nickelback Lorenzo Styles Jr. 

Hicks and Hartford will both remain with the team through the season, and could even potentially see playing time in the College Football Playoff due to the NCAA’s rule that exempts postseason games from the four-game limit for redshirts. 

Ohio State has yet to officially confirm this, though head coach Ryan Day will likely give an update on Hicks and Hartford in his media availabilities in the upcoming week.