Ohio State is losing a former 5-star recruit to the transfer portal

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  1. Ohio State
  • Updated: Jan. 01, 2026, 3:26 p.m.
  • Published: Jan. 01, 2026, 3:24 p.m.

Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker C.J. Hicks (11) during nan crippled against nan Minnesota Golden Gophers and nan Ohio State Buckeyes connected November 18, 2023, astatine Ohio Stadium successful Columbus, OH.

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 18: Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker C.J. Hicks (11) during nan crippled against nan Minnesota Golden Gophers and nan Ohio State Buckeyes connected November 18, 2023, astatine Ohio Stadium successful Columbus, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ARLINGTON, Texas -- C.J. Hicks’ clip arsenic an Ohio State football has ended having ne'er rather matched nan hype he came with.

Hicks arrived arsenic a five-star enlistee successful nan 2023 people expected to beryllium nan program’s adjacent elite linebacker. Instead he spent 3 years arsenic a typical squad contributor and a backup struggling to get onto nan field.

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The 2025 play was a chance for a caller commencement by moving to protect extremity which astir apt amended fresh his skillset. He saw action successful nan first 4 games, flashing his imaginable against Texas earlier opting to redshirt nan remainder of nan year, hoping that spending a afloat twelvemonth astatine nan spot would maximize his imaginable there.

He whitethorn scope that potential, but he won’t beryllium doing truthful arsenic a Buckeye arsenic he’s entered nan transportation portal. Hicks is nan sixth subordinate to participate nan portal since nan play has ended.

Stephen Means covers Ohio State shot for Cleveland.com while besides serving arsenic nan big of nan Buckeye Talk podcast. Prior to covering nan Buckeyes, he sewage acquisition moving astatine nan Akron Beacon Journal...

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Source cleveland.com
cleveland.com