Ohio State 2022 Commit C.J. Hicks Earns Fifth Star On Rivals

Kettering (Ohio) Archbishop Alter linebacker C.J. Hicks, an Ohio State commit, earned his fifth star on the Rivals recruiting website, becoming one of just 14 five stars given out by the recruiting site in the 2022 class.

Hicks came in fourth for the rankings, behind defensive tackle Walter Nolen, cornerback Domani Jackson and cornerback Denver Harris.

The No. 4 ranking nationally is a big increase for Hicks compared to where he sits on 247Sports. That recruiting website has Hicks at four-star status, ranking in at No. 118 on the composite rankings and No. 101 in the website’s rankings.

Hicks, who comes in at 6-4, 218 pounds, committed to the Buckeyes on May 1, becoming the third commit of their 2022 class. While initially committed as an athlete, he has since been locked in to the outside linebacker role.

On 247Sports, national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu compared Hicks to Indianapolis Colts linebacker E.J. Speed.

“Very long, lean frame. Long-strider who can cover a lot of ground and is used to playing in space as he has experience as a safety and even way outside as a cornerback in some cases. He also has been an effective offensive player in high school. In college, he will likely get bigger and transition down to the box,” Trieu wrote of Hicks. “He will have to add weight and strength and also get used to taking on blocks. But his upside based on frame and athleticism is tremendous and his profile is similar to that of mid-round NFL Draft choices at the same age.”

Hicks is one of two linebackers currently committed to Ohio State in 2022, with the other being Marysville, Ohio four-star outside linebacker Gabe Powers, who committed on Aug. 1.

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