Because of his defensive playmaking ability, the coaching staff decided he needed to be on the field ...Slated to start at the free safety position in the defensive backfield ... Plays with a lot of passion and enthusiasm ... Good instincts and natural ability ...Named to the 2006 Coaches and Media All-Freshman teams ... Named the co-defensive Player of the Week by the coaching staff following his performance against East Carolina (10/28) ... Used extensively on special teams ... Set the school record with his 87-yard interception return for a touchdown against East Carolina (10/28) ... 2006 (r-Fr.): Played in all 14 games, including starts against East Carolina and Memphis (11/5) ... Added depth in the secondary and was the nickel back ... Participated in 360 total snaps, including 173 on defense and 187 on special teams ... Recorded 26 total tackles, including 18 unassisted, 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception and one pass breakup ... Finished with a season-high seven tackles against Southeastern Louisiana (9/9) ... Recorded an interception against East Carolina which he returned for 87 yards and a touchdown ... Finished with five tackles against East Carolina and Memphis ... 2005 (Fr.): Redshirted ... Prep: Played for Coach Jim Hughes at Clarksdale HS ... Finished senior season with 65 total tackles (30 solos, 35 assists) and five interceptions ... Also caught 22 passes for 353 yards and four touchdowns ... Had a combined four kickoff/punt return touchdowns ... Helped Clarksdale HS to a 11-4 runner-up finish in the state 4-A championship game ... Had 25 total tackles and two interceptions as a junior ... Helped Clarksdale HS advance to the second round of the playoffs as a junior and sophomore ... All-division first-team ... Clarion Ledger 2004 All-State Second-Team defense ... Clarksdale Press Register First-Team ... Clarion-Ledger Top-40 ... Held the highest GPA on the football team ... Lettered one year in track ... Three-star rating by rivals.com ... Two-star rating by TheInsiders.com ... Personal: Son of Eddie and Belinda Hicks ... Majoring in human resources management ... Born March 24, 1987.