Aggies make the cut 2023 standout Defensive lineman, David Hicks Jr.

Aggies make Top Seven for 2023 standout Defensive lineman, David Hicks Jr.

David Hicks Jr., is the top defensive line prospect in the country, and the best player in the state of Texas in the 2023 class.

On Friday, July 1st, Hicks posted his “Top Seven” school list on social media, including Texas A&M. Oregon, Miami, Alabama, Michigan State, Oklahoma, and Texas, narrowing his focus to these seven programs in order to accurately weigh the pros and cons that each school presents pertaining to his football and academic future. Hicks is currently ranked as the 5th ranked player nationally in the 2023 class, going into his final season at Paetow High School in Katy, Texas.

Hicks is looking to add to an already exceptional high school career, recording 140 tackles, 18 sacks, 34 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles during his 2020 sophomore, and 2021 junior seasons.

David Hicks’ recruitment began to really take shape during the month of June, going on official visits to Michigan State on June 3rd, Miami on June 10th, and Oregon on June 17th, while unofficially visiting the Aggies 4 times in 2021, and 3 times this year, with his latest visit on June 25th. Although the Aggies look to have the edge, there’s a reason that 6 other schools are among his final potential choices.

In my recent evaluation of David Hicks, I described his various traits and ability as a player:

Hicks stands at 6-4, 270lbs, and is highly athletic for his size and very versatile, with the ability to play all across the defensive line if needed. He possesses the needed bend and closing burst off the edge in pass rush, has a great first step, is strong at the point of attack, and never lets his foot off the gas from an intensity standpoint. His quickness and general speed in accordance with his size make him a candidate to play in 5-tech position in the 3-4, or the 3-tech position with some outside pass rush packages in the 4-3.

With the recent recruiting success of the Texas Longhorns in terms of securing commitments from the top in-state prospects, Texas A&M knows that securing a player like Hicks could immediately alter their 2023 class and create a potential maroon wave of commitments, just like we saw in the latter half of the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Good luck to David on his journey, and let’s hope he’s back to soak in the beauty that is College Station, Texas sooner than later!

[listicle id=3082]