Tag: ronnie hickman

Top five returning solo tackle leaders in the Big Ten

Top five returning solo tackle leaders in the Big Ten #GoBucks

The NFL draft is in the books and the annual spring games have come to an end across the Big Ten and it is time to start diving into who to watch and what to expect during the 2022 season. We already dove into the top five returning rushers, passers, receivers, overall scorers, kick return leaders,  offensive yardage leaders, all-purposes leaders, punt return leaders and touchdown scorers returning in the Big Ten.

Next, I wanted to dive into the defense and who are the top five returning tacklers (solo) in the Big Ten.

Many of the names on this list are going to be familiar, but a few may surprise you.

Let’s get into it.

Two Ohio State football players appear on preseason Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist

These two Ohio State players were named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy preseason watchlist for 2022. #GoBucks

You know college football is getting ever so closer when we start to see the parade of watchlists start to hit the news wire. One of the first to do so almost yearly comes from the Lott IMPACT Trophy and it has already been announced this week.

The award is named after former football great Ronnie Lott and goes to the defensive player that has the best combination of character and performance annually.

This year, the award released 42 names to keep an eye on during the preseason and two of those names wear scarlet and gray as Ohio State defenders. Which two Buckeyes made the cut and who are they?

Well, we’re glad you asked because our job is literal to tell you just that, so here it goes.

WATCH: Ohio State DB Ronnie Hickman gets pick six against Akron

Gotta love pick-sixes! The route is on in Columbus. #GoBucks

The Ohio State defense started the game out slow, but after giving up seven points early in the first quarter, it has come to play. The pressure on the quarterback has been intense, and the latest resulted in a 46-yard pick-six by defensive back Ronnie Hickman.

To be fair, it was a bit of a gift because quarterback D.J. Irons misfired while running for his life. It got tipped by the wide receiver and Hickman the same athletic skills that got him a scholarship at Ohio State to find a way to grab the ball and run it all the way back for a touchdown.

With the touchdown, Ohio State now leads Akron 35-7 with a couple of minutes still left in the first half.

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WATCH: Ronnie Hickman get a tipped interception right before halftime vs. Tulsa

Ronnie Hickman with the interception to stop the Tulsa drive before halftime. #GoBucks

Well, Ryan Day promised us some changes on the Ohio State defensive side of the ball. So far, the only noticeable change is that Kerry Coombs is upstairs and secondary coach Matt Barnes is on the sideline. Although, the defense hasn’t broken yet, giving up just six points in the first half.

However, the Buckeyes are still giving up big chunks of yardage through the air and there has been little to no pressure on the quarterback. To be fair, Denzel Burke should have had an interception, but the play was inexplicably overturned.

The OSU sidelines finally had a big play to get excited about right before the half. Tulsa was driving again and had several missed opportunities before Cameron Martinez tipped a pass meant for a Hurricane receiver and right into the hands of Ronnie Hickman.

See the drive-ending interception below.

The Buckeyes enter halftime with a seven-point lead. Needless to say, fans expected a larger margin by this point. Tulsa will have the ball to open the second half.

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Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.