Eric Wicks
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| Eric Wicks | |
|---|---|
| College | West Virginia |
| Conference | Big East |
| Sport | Football |
| Position | Safety |
| Jersey # | 41 |
| Class | Senior |
| Career | 2003 – present |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | March 19, 1983 (age 24) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| High School | Perry Academy, Pittsburgh, Pa. |
Eric Wicks (born in March 19th, 1983 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American football senior safety for the West Virginia Mountaineers.
[edit] Early life
Eric Wicks played football at Perry Academy in high school. Wicks earned player of the year honors as a senior and earned first-team and all-state honors. As a senior, Wicks totaled 643 yards on 22 receptions for 16 touchdowns. In his career, Wicks totaled four punt returns for a score and 22 interceptions.
[edit] College career
Eric Wicks enrolled at West Virginia University in 2003.
Wicks played backup spur safety in 2004 as a sophomore. Wicks recorded 14 tackles for the season and a 34-yard interception returned for a touchdown against University of Virginia. Wicks also earned three tackles in the win against Temple University.
As a junior in 2005, Wicks played backup to all-conference safeties Mike Lorello and Jahmile Addae. Even though playing backup, Wicks earned second-team all-Big East honors. Wicks totaled 61 tackles for the year and scored West Virginia's first socre of the year: a 31-yard interception return against University of Syracuse, also totaled four tackles and a sack against the Orange. Wicks forced a Wofford fumble and an eight-yard sack. Wicks forced a University of Maryland fumble, seven tackles against East Carolina University, eight tackles against Virginia Tech, and nine tackles against Louisville. Wicks also won the game for West Virginia against Louisville, by tackling star Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm on the 2-point conversion in the 3rd overtime. Wicks was the leading tackler against Cincinnati and forced a fumble. Wicks ended the regular season with a key 4th quarter interception against USF. Wicks recorded three tackles and recovered a fumble against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl win. Wicks earned the Coaches Contribution Award, Defensive MVP against Syracuse and Cincinnati, and Big East honor roll against Syracuse.
At the beginning of the 2006 season, Eric Wicks and fellow-Mountaineer (as well as fellow Pittsburgh Metro player) Kevin "Boo" McLee made the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. Although neither Wicks nor McLee won the award, both had stellar years. Wicks totaled 67 tackles and a team second-best three interceptions, to Quinton Andrews four. Wicks' interceptions came to Eastern Washington, Mississippi State, and USF. Eric Wicks' interception against Mississippi State came in the endzone to save a touchdown. In the Gator Bowl against Georgia Tech, Wicks recorded 5 tackles. Wicks was also named to the first-team all-Big East squad at the end of the season.
Wicks is returning in the 2007 season for his senior year.
