Former five-star speed-and-potential machine still chasing his breakout
A former five-star who brought twitch, length and edge-speed to Ohio State, C.J. Hicks entered 2026 with 43 career tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, but his college arc has been defined as much by role changes as production. In 2025, Ohio State moved him from linebacker to defensive end, then redshirted him to preserve eligibility, and he ultimately left for South Florida after four seasons. Why care? The upside is obvious: explosive athlete, disruptive tools, and position versatility; the question is whether your team can harness his raw traits into consistent weekly impact.
