Ryan Day isn’t ready to commit to a plan of redshirting C.J. Hicks and Malik Hartford.
While Ohio State held Hartford and Hicks out of last weekend’s game against Minnesota with the intention of preserving their redshirts after they played in the first four games of the season, Day said that decision will be evaluated throughout the season and that both of them need to be ready to play this week against Illinois if injuries strike at their positions.
“We make decisions at the end of the year whether we are gonna redshirt guys based on what happens. We’re gonna take it week to week based on availability, depth chart, but those guys need to be ready to go this week if that comes up,” Day said Tuesday. “The rule is four games and able to play in the postseason. We’re gonna evaluate it, but those guys need to be ready because before you know it, they could be in a game. But we’re also gonna be smart about how we move forward.”
Hicks, a senior defensive end, has one remaining year of eligibility. Hartford, a junior safety, has two.
Both players played in Ohio State’s first four games of the season as top backups on the Buckeyes’ defense. Hicks, who began the year as Ohio State’s No. 4 defensive end, played 50 defensive snaps in the Buckeyes’ first four games. Hartford’s only playing time at safety came in late-game action against Grambling State and Ohio, but he played in each of the first four games on special teams.
Zion Grady and Logan George are the top candidates to see increased playing time at defensive end behind Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Caden Curry and Beau Atkinson if Hicks redshirts. Jackson’s status is also in question for this week’s game against Illinois after he left the Minnesota game with an injury, but Day said Ohio State is “hopeful” Jackson will be available this week.
Leroy Roker III and Faheem Delane will be Ohio State’s second-team safeties behind Caleb Downs and Jaylen McClain if Hartford redshirts.
Hicks and Hartford could return to action in the College Football Playoff and still preserve their redshirts, as the NCAA passed a blanket waiver last year exempting postseason games from the four-game redshirt limit.
