Tag: 2023 five-star defensive lineman

In a twist, 5-star DL David Hicks picks Texas A&M over the Oklahoma Sooners

In a shocking turn of events, 2023 five-star defensive lineman David Hicks spurns the Oklahoma Sooners in favor of the Texas A&M Aggies.

Heading into decision day, the Oklahoma Sooners looked to be the clear favorite for 2023 five-star defensive lineman David Hicks. Instead, Hicks chose the Texas A&M Aggies over the Oklahoma Sooners in a decision day shocker.

The battle always came down to Oklahoma and Texas A&M, but with crystal ball predictions from Steve Wiltfong and other recruiting experts sticking up until the moment Hicks committed, it seemed like the Sooners had their cornerstone piece for the defensive line.

Instead, the Sooners miss out on a five-star defensive line commitment yet again. It’s a new day in Norman with [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag], and they’ll win some of these battles. But to get so close to landing a foundational piece for a defense that will be making its debut in the SEC in 2024 or 2025 (Hicks’ sophomore or junior years) feels like the one that got away.

The Sooners still have a talented trio of defensive line prospects committed for the 2023 class. Five-star defensive end [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag] and four-star prospects [autotag]Colton Vasek[/autotag] and [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] give Oklahoma a talented blue-chip trio to build upon moving forward.

It’s an unfortunate loss for Oklahoma, but all is not lost. Oklahoma currently has the No. 6 recruiting class for 2023, according to 247Sports. With more than four months until national signing day, there’s still time for the Sooners to make things happen on the recruiting trail.

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Sooner Nation making final push for 5-star DL David Hicks on eve of commitment

On the eve of his commitment, Sooner Nation took to Twitter to make one last push for 5-star DL David Hicks, trending with #HicksToNorman.

In less than 24 hours, the Oklahoma Sooners will find out where they stand with five-star defensive lineman [autotag]David Hicks[/autotag].

Hicks, one of the last high-profile five-star prospects still on the board, will commit on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 3:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Hicks would join an Oklahoma Sooners recruiting class that already includes five-star prospects, quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] and edge rusher [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag].

The Sooners have been trending in a positive direction with David Hicks for some time but still have to stave off last-second recruitment pitches from Texas A&M, Michigan State, and Alabama.

Looking to make a final push, several recruits, including Arnold and 2023 center commit [autotag]Joshua Bates[/autotag] took to social media, along with many in Sooner Nation, to make their pitch using #HicksToNorman on Twitter.

Here are some of the best usages of the hashtag from Twitter on the eve of his commitment.

On3 Analyst predicts 5-star DL David Hicks to commit to Oklahoma

On3 recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman issues On3 prediction in favor of Oklahoma landing 5-star DL David Hicks out of Katy, Texas.

The good news keeps coming for the Oklahoma Sooners on the recruiting trail. After landing commitments from four-star prospects [autotag]Anthony Evans[/autotag] and [autotag]Makari Vickers[/autotag] on Friday, Oklahoma received a favorable prediction to land five-star defensive lineman [autotag]David Hicks[/autotag].

On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman believes the Sooners are now the favorites to land the talented five-star prospect out of Katy, Texas.

Hicks is a top 20 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class and the No. 1 defensive lineman according to On3 and 247Sports. Adding an incredible talent like Hicks to a group that includes five-star edge [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag], four-star edge [autotag]Colton Vasek[/autotag], and four-star DL [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag] would give the Oklahoma Sooners a blue-chip defensive line in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

There isn’t a decision date for Hicks at this point, but it looks like Todd Bates has the Oklahoma Sooners positioned well to land another five-star prospect in the recruiting cycle.

David Hicks’ Recruiting Profile

Projections

  • On3’s recruiting prediction machine has the Oklahoma Sooners out in front as of August 28, 2022. Back in July, Texas A&M was leading the way.
  • SoonerScoop‘s Josh McCuistion and Rivals Nick Harris both issued Rivals Futurecasts in favor of the Sooners on July 30, 2022.
  • Crystal ball prediction from Director of Football Recruiting Steve Wiltfong gives the Aggies the edge.

Film

Highlights available via Hudl

Oklahoma Sooners receive several projections for 2023 5-star DL David Hicks

on the heels of the Party at the Palace, the Oklahoma Sooners earn a Rivals Futurecast from Josh McCuistion for 2023 5-star DL David Hicks.

It’s been a day for the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday. After what looked to be a successful week of [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] Football Camp and the Party at the Palace, OU was on the receiving end of several predictions from the major recruiting services across the country.

247Sports, Rivals, and On3 were busy today, issuing predictions for the Oklahoma Sooners to land 2023 four-star edge rusher Colton Vasek and 2023 four-star defensive lineman Jordan Renaud.

All of this within weeks of landing four-star EDGE [autotag]Adepoju Adebawore[/autotag] and defensive lineman [autotag]Derrick LeBlanc[/autotag]. Now, the Sooners look to be serious contenders for the No. 1 defensive lineman in the class of 2023, five-star [autotag]David Hicks[/autotag].

Already armed with the No. 6 class in the 2023 cycle, the Sooners are on the verge of pushing their way past the Texas Longhorns and into the top three if the predictions come to fruition.

David Hicks’ Recruiting Profile

Projections

  • On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has Texas A&M out in front of the Oklahoma Sooners as of July 30, 2022
  • SoonerScoop‘s Josh McCuistion and Rivals Nick Harris both issued Rivals Futurecasts in favor of the Sooners on July 30, 2022.
  • Crystal Ball Prediction from Director of Football Recruiting Steve Wiltfong gives the Aggies the edge

Film

Highlights available via Hudl

Oklahoma lands second On3 prediction for 2023 five-star defensive lineman David Hicks

On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons issues prediction for the Oklahoma Sooners to land 2023 five-star defensive lineman David Hicks.

Brent Venables’ hiring of Todd Bates has already yielded positive results for the Oklahoma Sooners. Bates has been an excellent interior defensive line recruiter and coach for years. He’s a draw for prospective defensive tackles. The Clemson Tigers regularly landed recruiting victories for top defensive line targets with Venables and Bates leading the charge.

His efforts, along with defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis, helped the Sooners land seven defensive linemen in their 2022 recruiting class and the transfer portal, and they should reap huge rewards for the 2023 recruiting class.

On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons issued a prediction for five-star defensive lineman David Hicks for the Oklahoma Sooners. This is the second prediction that On3 Recruiting has issued in the Sooners’ favor. Back on Jan. 21, Gerry Hamilton predicted Hicks to land with the Oklahoma Sooners.

With a year until 2023’s national signing day and Texas A&M also in the mix, it seems significant that the Sooners are out in front on this recruitment. In August, Steve Wiltfong last issued a 247Sports crystal ball projection that had Texas A&M out in front of the battle for David Hicks. It appears that the tide is turning in favor of the Sooners and relationships with the coaching staff might be the difference.

Here’s what On3’s Jeremy Crabtree had to say about Hicks’ recruitment:

Hicks talks a lot about how relationships and family will be important to him in his decision-making process. That’s why Oklahoma and Texas A&M have gotten out to the early lead in this recruiting battle. David Hicks was on campus at both schools in late January, and the Sooners have done an outstanding job building a bond with him. That bond is really strong with co-defensive coordinator/defensive tackles coach Todd Bates. He was recruiting Hicks heavily when he was at Clemson. – Crabtree, On3

According to a story from Chad Simmons (On3+), Hicks doesn’t plan to decide until January when he plays in the Under Armor All-American game. He plans to take several recruiting visits out west and in Big Ten country. They mentioned visiting USC, setting up a potential battle between the Sooners and former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch.

Simmons spoke with Hicks’ father, David Hicks Sr., who indicated the Sooners have a strong relationship with the five-star defensive lineman. He told Simmons, “That coaching staff is out of this world. They are really good people, very positive, and Venables is bringing the same principles from Clemson to Oklahoma. The new staff at Oklahoma helped them tremendously. The relationships are strong.”

Bates, Venables, Chavis, and even Jay Valai from his time at Alabama, have strong relationships with David Hicks Jr. that could serve the Sooners well over the next 11 months as the recruiting battle for the talented junior will heat up.

Early in the recruiting cycle, anything can happen and the Oklahoma Sooners will be up against the top schools in the nation for the top five 2023 prospect. However, the Sooners look to be in a solid position to bolster their defensive line with a consensus top-10 talent in the 2023 class.

David Hick’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
ESPN 5 10 2 2
Rivals 5 2 1 1
247Sports 5 6 1 1
247 Composite 5 4 1 1
On3 Recruiting 5 7 1 2
On3 Composite 5 4 1 1

Vitals

Hometown Allen, TX
Projected Position DL
Height 6-4
Weight 250 lbs

Recruitment

  • Offered on Jan. 18, 2021
  • Unofficial visit Jan. 22, 2022

Notable Offers

  • Oklahoma
  • Texas A&M
  • Alabama
  • Clemson
  • LSU
  • Texas
  • Oregon

Film

Highlights available via Hudl

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Five-star defender Jayden Wayne has LSU among top schools

The No. 10 player in the 2023 cycle has LSU among his top choices.

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The LSU Tigers are among the top schools for the No. 10 rated player in the 2023 class, according to Rivals’ rankings.

Jayden Wayne of Tacoma has released his top schools for his recruitment. While the Tigers were among the list you can find the usual suspects in the SEC as well. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, and future SEC team Texas were all present on his list as well.

Currently, Wayne ranks as the No. 1 player in the state of Washington and a top-three player at his position. He is listed as a defensive lineman but based on his size, Wayne might project best as a strong-side defensive end for LSU. Unless he adds some weight to his frame, playing on the interior defensive line wouldn’t be productive for him.

LSU is in a good spot with several defensive linemen and they can thank new defensive line coach Jamar Cain. His reputation of developing NFL talent speaks for itself. Wayne is also looking at his home state team, the Washington Huskies. They are joined by Oregon and USC of the Pac-12 on the list.

While it is early in the process, Brian Kelly has to like where they stand with one of the nation’s best defenders. No update has been given at this time for any visits or when he will cut down his list any further.

Jayden Wayne’s Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247 4 38 1 7
Rivals 5 10 1 3
ESPN 4 76 1 9
On3 4 32 1 6
247 Composite 5 31 1 5

Vitals

Hometown Tacoma, Washington
Projected Position Edge
Height 6-5
Weight 245
Class 2023

Recruitment

  • Offered on Jan. 25, 2021
  • No visit scheduled

Offers (Top 11)

  • LSU
  • Alabama
  • Auburn
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Miami (Fl)
  • Michigan State
  • Oregon
  • Texas
  • USC
  • Washington

Recruiting Prediction

43.5% to Oregon per On3 

Film

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On3 Recruiting analyst submits prediction for five-star DL David Hicks to land at Oklahoma

On3 senior national recruiting analyst Gerry Hamilton put in a prediction for five-star defensive lineman David Hicks to land at Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is hosting players on visits this weekend from across the 2022 and 2023 recruiting classes. It looks like the weekend might have already payed off in a big way.

On3 senior national recruiting analyst Gerry Hamilton submitted a prediction for five-star defensive lineman David Hicks to land at Oklahoma.

Hicks is a 6-foot-4, 255 pound defensive lineman out of Allen High School in Texas that is rated as a top-10 player nationally by all of the major recruiting services.

Hicks is rated by Rivals as the nation’s No. 2 player overall in the 2023 class, No. 7 nationally by 247Sports, No. 8 by On3 and No. 10 by ESPN.

David Hicks’ Recruiting Profile

Rating

Stars Overall State Position
247Sports 4 7 1 2
Rivals 5 2 1 1
ESPN 4 10 2 2
247 Composite 5 5 1 2
On3 Recruiting 5 8 1 3
On3 Composite 5 5 1 2

247Sports national recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna gave Hicks a first-round NFL Draft projection in his Aug. 4 evaluation. Here’s what Petagna had to say about Hicks.

Possesses ideal size and growth potential to add additional weight to frame. Displays good athleticism and shows the ability to play multiple roles in a four-man front. Three-sport athlete with a dynamic track and field background. Flashes an explosive first step while exhibiting good foot and body quickness off the line of scrimmage. Shows the ability to bend the edge while possessing good burst to close ability. Demonstrates good play strength at the point of attack and an ability to play with power. Versatile defender that can beat you with speed, quickness, and power on the perimeter and on the interior. Plays the run better than he plays at this point in his development. Project him to move inside as a 4-3 interior lineman as he continues to grow and develop into his frame but does have the athletic capability to maintain a presence on the edge. Ultimately, Hicks is a prospect that possesses the athletic makeup, physical upside and versatility to validate his position as one of the premiere defensive linemen in the 2023 class. – Cooper Petagna, 247Sports.

Oklahoma associate head coach, co-defensive coordinator and defensive tackles coach Todd Bates was the lead recruiter for Hicks while at Clemson. That relationship could be pivotal for the Sooners in this recruiting battle for one of the premiere players in the 2023 class.

According to 247Sports, Hicks also holds offers from schools such as Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Notre Dame, Texas and Texas A&M.

It’s also worth noting that 247Sports director of football recruiting Steve Wiltfong has a crystal ball prediction in for Hicks to Texas A&M, but that prediction was from Aug. 4 so it will be interesting to follow whether or not Wiltfong’s prediction changes.

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