AKIEM HICKS
Defensive Tackle
University of Regina
6-5, 324
Elk Grove, California
Louisiana State University
Sacramento City Community College
Del Campo High School

OVERVIEW
This defensive lineman is an imposing figure, strong and wide enough to manhandle double-teams as a potential nose guard, quick enough to impact the pocket coming off the edge and flexible enough to string plays wide or simply shoot the gaps as a bull rushing defensive tackle. With his long arms (84-inch wingspan) , Hicks makes it very difficult for an opposing quarterback to just lob the ball over the line of scrimmage without fearing that the lineman will just reach up and bat the pass away. With those massive hands, he's had great success in shedding blocks, using them effectively at keeping blockers away from his feet. He is surprisingly agile for a big man and some team could find him quite effective as a possible fullback blocking for the ground game in short-yardage situations. Hicks is an explosive open field tackler who does a nice job of staying low in his pads and using his long reach to latch on to and wrap up the ball carrier. He is also very effective at running offensive lineman up on their heels and back into the pocket, thanks to his impressive upper body strength. Prior to embarking on his collegiate career, Hicks was a standout offensive tackle and defensive lineman at Del Campo High School, in Fair Oaks, California. As a junior, the then 282-pound lineman recorded 48 tackles with four sacks, helping head coach Mike Dimino's Cougars compile an 8-3 record. Hicks' senior season saw him earn All-Sac Joaquin Section and All-Capital Football League honors for the second straight year. Now up to 300 pounds, he delivered 52 tackles with a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, as the team finished 11-2.

The Rivals.com three-star prospect enrolled at Sacramento City College for his freshman season in 2007. He had a banner first season in college, recording 32 tackles (19 solo) with three sacks and finished second on the squad with 13.5 tackles for loss. The All-Mid Empire Conference selection also caused two fumbles and recovered another that he advanced for a touchdown. In 2008, Hicks played in nine games for the Panthers, garnering All-Northern California Football Association first-team and All-Mid Empire Conference first-team honors. He made 33 tackles (13 solo) with seven tackles for loss. Rivals.com rated him the fourth defensive tackle and the 20th junior college player in the nation. Hicks decided to enroll at Louisiana State for the 2009 season but never got the opportunity to play, deciding to transfer to the University of Regina for the 2010 schedule. The 2010 season saw Hicks walk away with All-Canada West Universities Athletic Association and All-Canadian Interuniversity Sport honors. In nine starting assignments, he posted 34 tackles (14 solo) with 1.5 sacks and five stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also caused two fumbles and broke up a pass. Hicks again received All-CIS and All-Canada West accolades as a senior in 2011. He could have left school for the professional ranks after his junior year but returned to the Rams for his final college season. Hicks was credited with 42 tackles (29 solo) that included 6.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and three pass breakups. His performance as a senior earned him an invitation to play in the 2012 East-West Shrine Game. He checked in at 6-5, 324 and was one of the largest players on the field throughout the week of practices. What impressed scouts in attendance, was that Hicks displayed impressive movement, showing nimble feet and fast hands. He capitalized on his aforementioned wingspan and used those long limbs to dominate blockers and prove to pro teams he should be drafted in April. Originally considered as a seventh-round or free agent projection, most teams feel that as he continues to impress in private workouts, he certainly could climb on most draft charts.

CAREER NOTES
Started 19 games at Sacramento City College, recording 65 tackles (32 solo) with three sacks (16 yards), 20.5 tackles for loss (67 yards), 15 quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery that he advanced 30 yards for a touchdown, a pass deflection and a 13-yard interception return…Started 16 games at the University of Regina…Collected 76 tackles (43 solo), eight sacks (65 yards),13 tackles for loss , four forced fumbles and four pass deflections.

2011 SEASON
Earned All-Canada West Universities Athletic Association and All-Canadian InterUniversity Sport honors…Started all eight games he appeared in, recording 42 tackles (29 solo) with 6.5 sacks (54 yards), eight stops for loss (56 yards) and six quarterback pressures…Caused two fumbles and deflected three passes…Opened the season with four tackles vs. the University of British Columbia…Posted a season best seven tackles (six solo), an assisted sack and a pass breakup vs. Saskatchewan…Matched his season-high with seven tackles, including 1.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage vs. Calgary…Recorded six tackles, two sacks (14 yards), one forced fumble vs. Manitoba…In the Rams second encounter vs. Saskatchewan, registered six tackles, one sack-fumble and one pass breakup…In his final college game, recorded four solo tackles with a pair of sacks (23 yards) vs. Manitoba.

2010 SEASON
In his first season at the University of Regina, named an All-Canada West All-Star…Totaled 34 tackles (14 solo) with 1.5 sacks (11 yards) and five tackles for loss (18 yards) …Caused two fumbles and deflected one pass…In his Rams debut, delivered seven tackles with an assisted sack and a pair of stops behind the line of scrimmage, in addition to causing a fumble and deflecting a pass vs. Manitoba…Added four tackles vs. Saskatchewan…Recorded two tackles for loss against Calgary…Posted five tackles and three stops behind the line of scrimmage in the Rams second meeting vs. Manitoba…Registered a nine-yard sack, causing a fumble on the play and totaled six tackles with 2.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage in the second contest vs. Manitoba.

2009 SEASON
Attended Louisiana State but did not see game action.

2008 SEASON
A junior college All-America, All-Mid Empire Conference and All-Northern California Football Association selection as a sophomore at Sacramento City College…Recorded 33 tackles (13 solo) with seven stops for loss (28 yards), seven quarterback pressures and a pass deflection through nine contests.

2007 SEASON
Joined the Sacramento City College program as a freshman, playing for Panthers head coach Mike Clemons…In 10 games, posted 32 tackles (19 solo) with three sacks (16 yards), 13.5 stops for loss (39 yards) and eight pressures…In his collegiate debut, recorded a stop behind the line of scrimmage and recovered a fumble in the first quarter, returning the ball 30 yards for the Panthers' first touchdown of the season, vs. Butte…Set up a field goal when he intercepted a Derek Shaw pass for a 13-yard return vs. Fresno City…Forced a fumble and recorded six tackles (four solo) and three stops for loss vs. Shasta…Credited with 1.5 sacks (four yards) and five tackles vs. Merced…Closed out the season with four tackles, a 4-yard sack that saw QB Tom Frachter fumble the ball and two more stops for loss vs. American River.

AGILITY TESTS
5.23 in the 40-yard dash…1.73 10-yard dash…2.93 20-yard dash…4.86 20-yard shuttle…7.75 three-cone drill…31 ½-inch vertical jump…9'0" broad jump…Bench pressed 225 pounds 26 times…35 1/8-inch arm length…10 1/8-inch hands…84-inch wingspan.

HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Del Campo High School, in Fair Oaks, California, where he played football as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman for Cougars head coach Mike Dimino…As a junior, the then 282-pound lineman recorded 48 tackles with four sacks, helping the team compile an 8-3 record…Earned All-Sac Joaquin Section and All-Capital Football League honors in back-to-back seasons as a senior…Registered 52 tackles with a pair of sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, as the team went on to an 11-2 record in 2006.

PERSONAL
Enrolled in the Faculty of Arts…Son of Desiree and Frank Hicks…Born Akiem Jamar Hicks on 11/16/89...Resides in Elk Grove, California.