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‘Probably be the best D-ends in their class’ - Ohio State senior makes bold statement about two freshmen who are turning heads

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Brandon Little | Last updated Jul 19, 2025 12:03 PM ET

Ohio State is trying to run it back in 2025 after an impressive College Football Playoff run last season that ended with a national championship win over Notre Dame.

However, the Buckeyes are replacing a significant amount of talent from that title-winning team, which saw 14 players selected in the NFL Draft this past April.

Among those drafted were both starting defensive ends, Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, who departed the program after multiple years as starters. Both were former five-star recruits. Despite those losses, Ohio State appears to be in good hands on the EDGE, with a few new faces already turning heads.

C.J. Hicks gives bold statement on two freshmen

In a recent interview with former Buckeye Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State senior C.J. Hicks spoke highly of two freshmen who are already looking the part.

“Epi (Sitanilei) the D-end, he’s going to be a dog,” Hicks said. “Epi and Zion Grady, those two—when they come out—will probably be the best D-ends in their class. It’s literally Jack and J.T. copy and paste.”

C.J. Hicks on true freshmen defensive ends Zion Grady and Epi Sitanilei . pic.twitter.com/eACfFDiU8b
— The Scarlet and Gray Podcast (@TheSG_Podcast) July 17, 2025

The Buckeyes are poised to start Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson this fall, unless North Carolina transfer Beau Atkinson can break into the starting lineup. Regardless, Atkinson is expected to be part of the rotation alongside transfer Logan George and Hicks.

Freshmen Epi Sitanilei and Zion Grady have a real chance to crack the rotation this season—an impressive feat for newcomers in Larry Johnson’s system. They’ll be competing with Joshua Mickens and Dominic Kirks for spots on the depth chart.

“Both of them are super explosive,” Hicks added. “They’re strong, but both get off the rock. They both want to learn—they ask a lot of questions.”

It sounds like Johnson and company may have landed another pair of strong pass rushers in the 2025 class, even if they weren’t the highest-ranked prospects. Don’t be surprised if they carve out meaningful roles as early as this season.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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