Julian

Hicks

The former Packers practice squad player has played neither on offense nor on special teams since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2024. He might be a practice squad candidate in Detroit if the team signs him and he can demonstrate some level of value this month.

Hicks (6'3/200) was the favored target of freshman Zach Gibson, as he caught nine of the quarterback’s 22 completions. The nine receptions are two more than redshirt sophomore had in his previous three games combined. On the season Hicks has caught 16 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, and next week he and his teammates visit Northern Illinois.

After catching a total of three passes in his first two appearances as a Zip, Hicks (6'3/200) managed to catch four against the Golden Flashes. On the season the redshirt sophomore, who was cleared to play just days before Akron’s Week 3 matchup with his old school (Central Michigan), has caught seven passes for 47 yards and a touchdown. Hicks will look to have a greater impact next weekend when the Zips host Buffalo.

Hicks (6'3/200) landed at Akron after entering the transfer portal in mid-April, coming over from Central Michigan. He has yet to make his first catch with the Zips, in part due to a shoulder injury, but should be able to play this coming weekend barring setback. The Week 3 opponent for Akron? Why that would be CMU.

This is potentially a big get for the Rockets, as they lost several talented wideouts to graduation, and Diontae Johnson to the Steelers. Hicks announced his intent to transfer in April, and he left the Chippewas after making 28 catches for 313 yards and four scores last fall; tops in all categories. He’s going to need to get approved to play with a waiver, but if he can, he should see a good amount of targets in 2019 for his new school.

Hicks led the team in all receiving categories last season with 313 yards and four touchdowns on 28 receptions. This could be reason alone to transfer because if those numbers lead a team then there likely isn’t a whole lot of upside to sticking around. He’ll have to sit out the 2019 season if he decides to officially transfer.