Jim Knowles says C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles are “neck-and-neck” to start at Will linebacker but both will have a major role as Ohio State plans to use plenty of 4-3 packages this season.
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C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles Are “Neck-and-Neck” to Start at Will Linebacker, But Both Will Have Roles in Buckeyes’ Defense
Early returns on Ohio State’s Will linebacker competition are positive, even if a favorite hasn’t emerged yet in Jim Knowles’ eyes.
The Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator sees the race between 2022 five-star prospects C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles as a dead heat with both men commanding playing time. Ohio State’s base 4-2-5 defense only has room for one of them to play alongside Mike linebacker Cody Simon, but their talents and concerns about the team's nickel depth behind Jordan Hancock have Knowles thinking about more 4-3 looks in 2024.
“In 4-2 scheme I think they’re both neck-and-neck right now,” Knowles said. “We've got to continue to look at and create more ways to get all three of them on the field, take the nickel out. I think our depth at nickel concerns me.”
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“Sonny has proven to be a guy you can count on in the big moments,” Knowles said. “He's gained weight, strength, he's well-respected by everybody. So he makes that move to Will and you just see a lot of production. You see a guy who understands football.
“I've had a lot of success with bringing safeties down to the linebacker (position) because they have an idea of the bigger picture and everything that's going on from sideline to sideline. So Sonny shows that.”
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"I think C.J. Hicks has done a phenomenal job," linebacker coach James Laurinaitis said in April. "You gotta keep pressing him and making sure that he's really tapping into everything that he can offer. I think C.J. sees the opportunity, and he’s certainly making a case to get on the field this fall. So I think it's been a really good spring for C.J."
While still battling with Styles to start at Will, Knowles has started coming up with ways to use Hicks as a chess piece, including playing him off the edge on the line of scrimmage to disrupt the run game more, rush the quarterback and cover tight ends man-to-man.
“C.J. has some demonstrated talent – we saw it in spring – of making plays when he's on the attack,” Knowles said. “And I think Sonny can do that, too. So we're developing more of those opportunities for that Will position because we think we have the guys to do it.”
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