Akiem Hicks

Not to be confused with Hakeem Nicks.
Akiem Hicks

Hicks in the 2012 NFL season.
No. 76  New Orleans Saints
Position: Defensive end
Personal information
Date of birth: November 16, 1989
Place of birth: San Jose, California
Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight: 324 lb (147 kg)
Career information
High school: Fair Oaks (CA) Del Campo
University: Regina
NFL draft: 2012 / Round: 3 / Pick: 89
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2013
Tackles: 76
Quarterback sacks: 4.5
Forced fumbles: 1
Stats at NFL.com

Akiem Jamar Hicks (born November 16, 1989) is an American football defensive end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Saints in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft.[1] He played college football at Sacramento City College and at the University of Regina.

Early years

A native of Sacramento, California, Hicks was born in Elk Grove, attended Del Campo High School in Fair Oaks, and began his college career at Sacramento City College. After the 2008 season, he was rated as a top junior college player and signed to play at LSU. However, recruiting violations by LSU made him ineligible for the 2009 season; unable to transfer to another American football program, he went to work at a DirecTV call center in Colorado Springs, Colorado while he considered his next move. Hicks had an offer to play for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League, but decided instead to continue his education and college football career with the Regina Rams of the Canada West Universities Athletic Association. After his first season at Regina, he was drafted by the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League, but again decided to stay in college. In his second year at Regina, he made 42 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks and was named the CWUAA's top lineman. A strong performance in the East-West Shrine Game increased his profile with NFL scouts.[2][3]

Professional career

The Saints drafted Hicks in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft; it was the Saints' first pick of the draft. He became the ninth Canadian Interuniversity Sport player to be selected in the NFL draft, and the second-highest NFL draft pick in CIS history (behind only Mike Schad, a first round pick in 1986).[4]

References

External links