Former Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke praised 2022 five-star recruit and Buckeye linebacker C.J. Hicks at the 2025 NFL Combine last week.
Burke appeared in 51 games for the Buckeyes in four years, totaling 143 tackles, 27 pass defenses, four interceptions, and a touchdown during his time in the secondary.
Denzel Burke Has High Praise for C.J. Hicks
At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Burke worked out in front of scouts, coaches, and NFL front offices and spent time speaking with reporters. At a Feb. 27 press conference, Burke was asked a variety of questions, including one about which current Ohio State Buckeye is being underlooked heading into this season.
Burke shouted out junior nose tackle Kayden McDonald and linebacker Arvell Reese before shifting his focus to a third player who has struggled to see the field.
“I feel like C.J. Hicks, he’s going to be on the rise,” Burke said. “I feel like this is his year.”
Denzel Burke On CJ Hicks: ‘I feel like this is his year’ https://t.co/B0Uo67wBWw
— Tony Gerdeman (@TonyGerdeman) March 3, 2025
Burke also praised senior linebacker Sonny Styles and senior defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
Hicks, a five-star recruit according to 247 Sports out of Archbishop Alter High School in Dayton, Ohio, was the 10th-ranked prospect nationally and the second-best linebacker in the 2022 class.
The senior has struggled to see the field, putting up only 22 tackles and two sacks in a backup role with the Buckeyes last year. With Styles ahead of him in the depth chart and Reese expected to take over for Cody Simon in the middle of the field, there is speculation Hicks may line up closer to the line of scrimmage in Matt Patricia’s defense.
Burke said he is unsure where Hicks will line up under Patricia’s defense but is “looking forward to seeing him play this year.”
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Burke showed off his speed at the NFL Combine, running a 4.48 40-yard dash, good for 15th among defensive backs. His 1.5-second 10-yard split tied Texas’ Jahdae Barron, Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston, and Rutgers’ Robert Longerbeam for second among defensive backs.
Burke ranks 95th on College Sports Network’s 2025 NFL Draft Top 300 Big Board.
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