- It’s important for Knowles to keep players healthy for the long haul, which is where linebacker Cody Simon comes in, he said. Feels Simon and C.J. Hicks will play a lot this year in the spot.
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Is CJ still on the team?VERSATILITY, POTENTIAL, RECRUITING CLASS AND STATE AFFILIATION TIE C.J. HICKS AND SONNY STYLES TOGETHER
Hicks offered a similar refrain. “You don't see many 6-foot-4, 230-pound linebackers, well, not linebackers – he can play linebacker – but free safeties who can play as many positions as he can. We put him at nickel, we put him at strong, put him at free, at Sam, and probably could play Jack so he's very versatile. He's grown (mentally) a lot since last year."
So while Styles lining up at the starting nickel safety spot might have raised an eyebrow or two, it seems that's his home for now, though Knowles could of course bounce him around the field based on the opponent's scheme and roster to best utilize his vast skill set. Either way, Sonny looks destined for starter’s reps this fall.
For his part, Hicks is trying to showcase his own versatility, though his path to starter snaps is muddy for the time being. His natural position is Will linebacker and you have to believe that will be his starting job once Chambers moves on but for now, Hicks is targeting reserve snaps there and hopefully some time in the Jack position.
"Jack can show how versatile I am," Hicks noted earlier this week. "Show that I can come off the edge but also drop in coverage. I like the Jack. If you turn on my high school tape, it's similar to what I did in high school."
Hicks is also encouraged by the feeling Knowles expects more from him than he did last year.
“He’s starting to expect more out of me. I can tell. He and I have that relationship now that we can talk business but also talk about stuff outside of football and how it correlates to football and the Jack and Will and things like that,” Hicks said.
And while Chambers has a handle on the starting Will spot, he's encouraged by Hicks' potential.
“Unlimited. He can do whatever he wants, honestly. He's really stacking up right now,” Chambers said.
Versatility, Potential, Recruiting Class and State Affiliation Tie C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles Together
Fall camp reviews make it clear multi-talented defenders and Ohio products Sonny Styles and C.J. Hicks will play increased roles in this year's defense.www.elevenwarriors.com
So we don't have LBs with no experience next year or no one to step up for injuries. We don't play enough guysWhy?
11 is the player we were told we would see a lot more on the field this year...Yep, you could hear the pop on that second hit. I was like, damn, who's 11?
I thought it was Sonny Styles11 is the player we were told we would see a lot more on the field this year...
Hicks has been "ready for my PT" since his freshman year....I thought it was Sonny Styles