Former 5-star Ohio State football recruit is heading to South Florida with Brian Hartline out of the transfer portal

The former Buckeye will have one last ride at the college football level.

Brandon Little — Ohio State Buckeyes & Cleveland Browns News Writer
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The transfer portal has been off and running since last Friday, with thousands of college football players already entered. The Ohio State Buckeyes have had north of a dozen players enter, and some are beginning to find homes. 

Former Ohio State Buckeye C.J. Hicks is following Brian Hartline 

Hicks made it clear that he would be leaving Ohio State last weekend with just one year of eligibility left. The former highly touted recruit has signed with South Florida, following former Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline to the Bulls. Hicks spent the first four years of his college career in Columbus with the Buckeyes. 

Hicks came into Ohio State as the No. 10 overall player and No. 2 linebacker, according to 247 Sports. The Dayton native never climbed into a starting linebacker role — and made the move to a full-time EDGE before the 2025 season. Hicks redshirted after playing just four games in 2025 to keep an extra year intact. Making a position late in college and doing it in a deep room combined to make that decision for Hicks. 

The most productive season for Hicks came in 2024, when he recorded two sacks and 22 tackles in 15 games. It is unclear if the 6-3, 243-pound Hicks will stick with his switch to EDGE or if he will go back to being a linebacker. Hicks finished his Ohio State career with 42 tackles and two sacks in 44 games played. 

Landing at USF is a drop-down in competition that could be perfect in Hicks’ last season at the college level. If Hicks wants any hopes of playing in the NFL, this will be his last shot to impress scouts in 2026. While this is the first player that Hartline is taking to USF, it may not be the last. 

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