Akiem Hicks, 2 year player with the University of Regina Rams, was put through his paces at the NFLβs Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last week. Hicks was a popular topic among NFL draft observers, some of whom suggested the 6-foot-5, 325-pounder could go in the NFL draft, April 26-28.
Hicks, a 22-year-old product of Elk Grove, Calif., was one of three CIS players invited to play in the East-West Shrine Game. Saskatchewan Huskies offensive lineman Ben Heenan, a product of Regina, and Laval Rouge et Or defensive lineman Arnaud Gascon-Nadon also participated in Saturdayβs contest and the practices leading up to it.
40 yard dash: 5.23s
bench press: 26 reps
verticle jump: 31.5 inch
broad jump: 108.0 inch
3 cone drill: 7.75s
20 yard shuttle: 4.86s
Hicks’ full page from the combine can be found here.
Here is the scouting profile posted on the NFL.com website:
Overview Hicks has an an interesting late-rise prospect coming into the 2012 draft following a career playing collegiate football in Canada, at the little-known University of Regina in Saskatchewan after a short stint at LSU, where circumstances surrounding his recruitment led him north of the border. He has the size to play on the front lines and could have late-round value to a team willing to develop him.
Analysis Strengths Hicks has the frame to fit in nicely, not only at DT but potentially outside at end in a 3-4 scheme. He is athletic and shows a strong burst and agility off the snap to get into his opposing offensive linemen. He has decent strength to defeat blockers, but is more reliable to make an athletic move and quickly get into the backfield. He is athletic in open space, and this is where his value is most evident. He has NFL-caliber size, agility and burst off the ball. Weaknesses Hicks has been a slow developer who has played two full seasons of junior college ball (Sacramento City College) and then two seasons in Canada. It remains to be seen how readily adaptable his skills are to the pros given that level of competition. While teams might want him as an end based off his size, Hicks can get overwhelmed at the point of attack against double teams, and doesn’t have many moves in his arsenal to counter. He is a decent run defender, but plays too upright at times; technique is the main hitch in his game in all aspects.
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