Weight: 233 (2024), 230 (2023), 225 (2022)

2024 Media Guide: C.J. is in his third season with the Buckeyes and, with the departure of two, two-year starters to the NFL, is vying for increased playing time and starting opportunities … he has played in 24 games the past two seasons – 12 games as a true freshman and 12 in 2023.

2023: Recorded eight tackles, including his first tackle-for-loss against MSU.

2022: He earned his first Varsity O letter in 2022, playing in 12 games as a true freshman … he recorded six tackles on special teams with four of those solo stops.

2022 Media Guide:  C.J. is part of Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class … he enrolled in classes at Ohio State in January 2022 along with 13 other members of his class … a five-star prospect according to 247Sports and the No. 1-ranked player in Ohio for the Class of 2022 … semifinalist for the Maxwell Club’s National High School Defensive Player of the Year award … was the nation’s No. 2-ranked linebacker … a High School Butkus Award Finalist.

High School: Recorded 84 tackles, 18 tackles for loss and two interceptions, one of which he returned 99 yards for a touchdown, as a senior in the fall of 2021 … named Ohio’s Division III Defensive Player of the Year … chosen as the Division III Southwest District Defensive Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021 … started at linebacker, running back, kick returner and punt returner … amassed 1,442 all-purpose yards (667 rushing, 397 receiving) and nine touchdowns on the offensive side of the ball.

Personal: Is the son of Tiffane Hardin.