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- Thread starter Smudger
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Captain Buckeye
Assistant Coach
Such an added boost. I was really bummed out when it became obvious his role wasn’t going to be anything big. So when he was going to red shirt my first thought was “just get to the playoffs”.
Enormous that he’s back and also that we can add him to next years line up. As a fifth year senior that’s going to be different if we can also be fortunate enough to have KJ back too.
Enormous that he’s back and also that we can add him to next years line up. As a fifth year senior that’s going to be different if we can also be fortunate enough to have KJ back too.
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billmac91
Head Coach
It’s funny that in many ways, CJ Hicks may be the key that allows Kenyatta Jackson to become the pass rusher Caden Curry is this year.
Kenyatta has been asked to mush rush and keep an eye on containing edge because he has the speed to cut off edge for QB.
It’s very possible Kenyatta slides to Caden’s spot, and CJ becomes the contain guy….JMO.
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Captain Buckeye
Assistant Coach
Fully expect CJ to be a novelty though. Probably a 3rd down kind of player the rest of the way
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RugbyBuck
Our church has no bells.
Arvell has shown, more than shown, that if you buy in and work, you can be a successful first year starter in this offense. That's my best hope for CJ. While I doubt he'll be a starter, if he puts in the work, he'll play big minutes next season and hopefully the lights turn on.
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OregonBuckeye
Semper Fi Buckeyes
I don't think that's a requirement to be a kicker here
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Why the redshirt could help shape Ohio State’s 2026 defense
As important as Hicks’ potential playoff contribution is, the long-term implications may be even bigger. By preserving his redshirt, Hicks remains eligible to return next season at a time when Ohio State’s edge room is likely to undergo significant turnover. Caden Curry is expected to graduate and move on, and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. could be headed to the NFL, leaving meaningful snaps available in the rotation.That opportunity aligns perfectly with Hicks’ developmental timeline. If he uses the playoff experience as a foundation and follows it with a full offseason focused on edge-specific refinement, he could enter next season ready to compete for a major role. The defensive line appears to be his most natural home, and Ohio State has consistently shown that patience with high-upside defenders pays off once the technique matches the talent.
For now, Hicks’ story is about timing. He arrives in the playoffs with eligibility intact, physical tools sharpened by a year of practice, and a chance to help in small but important ways. Beyond that, the redshirt season positions him as a potential centerpiece of Ohio State’s edge rotation in 2026, a reminder that sometimes the most impactful seasons begin before the stat sheet ever even shows it.
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