Faion

Hicks

Hicks was reportedly pulled over for disobeying a stop sign, which led to a citation for an expired driver’s license of less than four months and a third-degree felony charge for carrying a concealed firearm. Drafted by the Broncos in the seventh-round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Hicks appeared in just two games last season, with all of his snaps coming on special teams. He is currently out on bond.

A complete unknown despite playing at Wisconsin, Hicks (5'10"/189) will be a 24-year-old rookie in 2022. Hicks supposedly ran 4.37 at the Badgers’ Pro Day, which is undoubtedly one of the reasons he has slipped into the draft at all. He also boasts an excellent RAS mark of 7.8. The Broncos are betting on traits, though Hicks does not have much projectability considering his age.

Hicks (5'10/185) was the standout at the Wisconsin pro day as he put up some impressive testing numbers including a 4.37 40-yard dash that would have been the fifth-best at the combine. He was also praised during his defensive drills as he looked fluid through his motions He wasn’t being talked about before today, but this could have scouts re-assessing his highlights and he could find his way onto an NFL roster in 2022.

Hicks (5'10/192) was listed as questionable earlier this week with an undisclosed injury, and has already missed two games this season. After playing in Week 1’s loss to Penn State, Hicks missed Week 2 and Week 3 before returning against Notre Dame in Week 4. Per Pro Football Focus, Hicks was in on 50 snaps in last week’s 41-13 loss to Notre Dame, and was targeted on 10 plays, allowing five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. We will wait to hear more on Hicks’ injury status as we get closer to Saturday.

Sanborn (6'2/232) and Hicks (5'10/185) are two of Wisconsin’s best defenders, so getting them back gives the Badgers a welcome boost heading into the offseason. Sanborn led the Badgers in total tackles, tallying 52 on the season, while also accounting for one quarterback sack, one interception and one forced fumble. Hicks was responsible for 13 total tackles and four passes defensed in 2020.

Hicks (5'10/185) will once again be a key contributor in the Wisconsin secondary after leading the team’s cornerbacks in total tackles (35) a season ago. The redshirt sophomore from Miami made ten of his 11 starts in 2018 at corner, and in addition to the tackles he also accounted for one interception and four passes defensed.

Hicks’ (5'10/184) early departure means that sophomore Madison Cone will see more action at corner. And with the loss of Hicks the Badgers are down a player who, despite only being a redshirt freshman, is one of the team’s most experienced cornerbacks.

Hicks has started all four games for the Badgers, and he’s sixth on the team with 13 tackles. If he’s unable to go, the start will likely go to Madison Cone or Deron Herrell against the 0-4 Cornhuskers.