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Jim Knowles explains why CJ Hicks has played sparingly at LB this season

Ethan Stone

By Ethan Stone

Published:

Jim Knowles, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator, was asked Tuesday afternoon why sophomore linebacker CJ Hicks has played sparingly for Ohio State this season.

Hicks is a former 5-star prospect and one of the more physically gifted players on Ohio State’s roster. He also hasn’t seen the field much, with just 1 tackle to his name this season.

According to Knowles, the reason he isn’t playing much is simply because of the veteran experience in front of him.

That’s quite the answer considering Ohio State’s struggles at LB this season, against the run specifically. Apart from Tommy Eichenberg, Cody Simon and Steele Chambers have objectively struggled so far. At the very least, a player of Hicks’ talent should get some run given the circumstances.

Fans were quick to label Knowles’ answer as a bad one Tuesday afternoon on social media.

Whatever the issue, it needs to be fixed quick. OSU has a date with Purdue at Ross-Ade this weekend before facing off against No. 6 Penn State in Columbus.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.