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Jim Knowles explains why CJ Hicks has played sparingly at LB this season
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.
(2/2) … That’s a case of him being ready to go but understanding that there are guys who are veterans in front of him. He is learning every day.”
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) October 10, 2023
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.
Those vets have graded out terribly last couple weeks. Give him a shot or at least rotate in https://t.co/lOrKkyhOuX
— Praying to Deities for the Bears (@JuJu_Da_Gamer) October 10, 2023
Knowledge is one thing but when THAT KNOWLEDGE isn’t producing on the FIELD YOU HAVE TO SWITCH IT UP PLAY CJ HICKS IT ISN’T 🚀 SCIENCE #gobucks https://t.co/8zbDw9xsIi
— PRESIDENTBUCKEYE (@BuckeyeEstate32) October 10, 2023
What’s it gonna take bro https://t.co/z4af7x7Eb6
— SligdeezoneGrool (@goonmasterio) October 10, 2023
This is a gross answer. https://t.co/p8Lj2YpPu6
— Peter Coffaro (@PeterJeffrey22) October 10, 2023
Play the best players man. https://t.co/SpjZjOayK0
— Tyler Shamblin (@Tsham_2) October 10, 2023
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 was an editor for his student newspaper at the University of Tennessee and is now a News Manager for Saturday Tradition.