C.J. Hicks has been with the Ohio State football program since January following a successful high school career that saw him regarded as one of the nation’s top linebackers. The former 5-star player from Dayton, Ohio, was considered a top 10 recruit nationally when he ultimately signed with Ryan Day and the Buckeyes.

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On Sunday, the true freshman was the latest to have his black stripe removed to symbolize him officially becoming a member of the football team.

Hicks thanked God, defensive graduate assistant Koy McFarland, and his teammates for helping him on a daily basis while progressing through camp. He’ll hope to be a key figure in the Buckeyes’ linebacker corps and will work to make an immediate impact on the field starting with the team’s season opener against Notre Dame on Sept. 3 at Ohio Stadium.

Check out the moment when Hicks learned his black stripe was being removed in the video below: