Ronnie Hickman Jr. Bio
Ronnie Hickman Jr. (born October 11, 2001) is an American professional football safety for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Browns after the 2023 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 209 pounds, Hickman has carved out a role in the Browns’ secondary through special teams play and defensive snaps.
A native of the New York metropolitan area who grew up in New Jersey, Hickman developed into a versatile athlete before focusing on football at Ohio State. His combination of football instincts and lacrosse background has been cited as a factor in his coverage and ball-tracking skills at the professional level.
Early Life and Background
Ronnie Hickman Jr. was born on October 11, 2001, in Manhattan, New York, and raised in South Orange, New Jersey. He grew up in a region with deep football roots, and his early athletic development reflected the competitive sports culture of northern New Jersey.
Hickman attended DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, New Jersey, where he lined up at both safety and wide receiver. His two-way play demonstrated the range and athleticism that would later define his college recruitment. He was selected to participate in the 2019 All-American Bowl, a showcase that highlighted his status as one of the top defensive backs in his recruiting class.
Beyond football, Hickman was an accomplished lacrosse player and earned All-American honors in the sport. He originally committed to Rutgers University to play lacrosse before ultimately choosing to pursue football at Ohio State University. That decision shaped the next phase of his athletic career.
Path to American Football
Hickman’s route to major college football ran through one of the most talent-rich high school programs in New Jersey. His performances at DePaul Catholic, combined with his All-American Bowl selection, drew attention from several top programs. The exposure confirmed his evaluation as a Division I-caliber safety.
When he arrived at Ohio State, Hickman was part of a defensive backfield pipeline that regularly produced NFL talent. He joined a program with a national championship pedigree and a track record of developing defensive backs. That environment gave him the structure and competition needed to refine his craft.
He redshirted his first year in 2019 to recover from an injury suffered during his senior season in high school, preserving a year of eligibility. The redshirt year allowed him to learn the Buckeyes’ defensive system and adjust to the speed of college football before stepping into a larger role.
Ronnie Hickman Jr. Career
Early Career (2020)
Hickman’s first on-field action at Ohio State came during the 2020 season, a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He appeared in five games primarily on special teams and recorded five tackles. The limited role gave him a foundation in coverage and open-field tackling that translated into a starting opportunity the following year.
By the end of the 2020 campaign, the Ohio State coaching staff had seen enough to plan for a larger workload. Hickman earned second-team All-Big Ten recognition the next season, signaling his emergence as a full-time defensive contributor.
Ohio State Buckeyes Breakthrough (2021–2022)
Hickman broke out as a starter in 2021, opening all 13 games for the Buckeyes. He finished the year with 99 tackles, two interceptions, a sack, and a touchdown, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors. His production placed him among the most active defensive backs in the conference and elevated his draft profile.
In 2022, Hickman started all 13 games again and added 53 tackles and an interception to his resume. He earned third-team All-Big Ten recognition for the season, cementing his reputation as a reliable, every-down safety. Following the 2022 campaign, he declared for the 2023 NFL draft, choosing to forgo any remaining college eligibility.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023–Present)
Hickman signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. Despite going undrafted, he earned a spot on the initial 53-man roster when the Browns announced their final cuts on August 29, 2023. The roster decision marked his official entry into the NFL.
His most visible early moment came during a Week 17 victory over the New York Jets, when Hickman recorded his first career interception off quarterback Trevor Siemian. He returned the pick 30 yards for his first NFL touchdown, a play that highlighted his ball skills and field awareness. The performance helped solidify his role within the Cleveland secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hickman plays with the physicality of a box safety and the coverage instincts of a deep-zone defender. His lacrosse background contributes to strong body control and tracking ability, and his tackling form has been a consistent strength since college. He has primarily contributed on special teams while developing into a rotational defensive safety for the Browns.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hickman’s first NFL interception and touchdown against the New York Jets stands as his signature professional moment to date. Earning a roster spot as an undrafted free agent out of Ohio State also stands out as a defining early-career milestone, along with his All-American Bowl selection in 2019 and his All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and 2022.
Ronnie Hickman Jr. Career Wins
As a defensive back, Ronnie Hickman Jr.’s statistical milestones are measured in tackles, interceptions, and game-changing plays rather than traditional win totals. His career is still in its early stages, but he has already produced highlights at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Ohio State Buckeyes Highlights
Across his Ohio State career, Hickman appeared in 31 games with 26 starts. He accumulated 152 tackles, three interceptions, a sack, and a touchdown, while earning All-Big Ten recognition in both 2021 and 2022. His 99-tackle season in 2021 ranks among the most productive years for a Buckeyes safety in recent memory.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond college and the NFL, Hickman earned All-American status as a high school lacrosse player, underscoring his overall athletic profile. His selection to the 2019 All-American Bowl remains one of the top pre-college honors of his football career.
Ronnie Hickman Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ronnie Hickman Jr.’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in South Orange, New Jersey, and developed his athletic foundation in the New York metropolitan area before leaving for college.
Personal Life
Hickman has not publicly shared details about a spouse or children. He maintains an active presence on social media under the handle @asvprocket_, where he posts updates from his NFL career and personal interests.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Ronnie Hickman Jr. is expected to compete for an expanded role in the Cleveland Browns’ secondary. After his first career interception and touchdown in late 2023, he has had time to develop within the team’s defensive scheme and on special teams units. The Browns’ defensive staff is likely to lean on his versatility as he continues to grow.
Key storylines for Hickman in 2025 include his potential elevation to a starting safety role, his continued production on special teams, and his ability to build on his rookie-season interception. Cleveland’s secondary depth will play a major role in determining how many defensive snaps he sees each week.
His long-term outlook depends on consistency in coverage, tackling, and communication within the defensive backfield. If he stays healthy and continues his developmental arc, Hickman has a credible path to becoming a full-time starter for the Browns in the seasons ahead.