With Ohio State locking down the best recruiting class in 2021, the staff in Columbus is now looking ahead and working on similar success with the 2022 cycle. On Friday, the Buckeyes received their third pledge in 2022 class.

Four-star athlete C.J. Hicks verbally committed to Ohio State on Friday. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound athlete is a native of Dayton, Ohio becomes the second in-state pledge for the Bucks.

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All of Ohio State’s three verbal commitments in the 2022 class have come within the last 10 days. All three are four-star prospects and rank inside the top 175 overall players in the cycle, per 247Sports.

Hicks received more than two dozen offers on the recruiting front for his good size and ability to cover as a player in the secondary. Per 247Sports’ Allen Trieu, there’s a good chance Hicks could move to the linebacker position while at Ohio State.

Hicks committed to Ohio State over offers from Notre Dame, Michigan, Nebraska, Penn State, Texas A&M and many other programs. Below are some of Hicks’ highlights from the high school level: