C.B.O.
Photo by Zoe Kelton, TexAgs
Click HERE to view Texas A&M’s Wednesday press conference.
The wait for a highly-recruited college football player to reach potential can make fans seem like bored kids on long car rides.
“Are we there yet?”
Aggies have been waiting two years on defensive tackle DJ Hicks to become a dominant force.
So, as Texas A&M prepares for the 2025 season, the question may be, “Is he there yet?”
The answer from Mike Elko seems to be “almost.”
“I just think there’s a level of maturity that happens over time,” Elko said on Wednesday at his weekly spring football press conference. “He’s not feeling his way through things anymore. He knows what it means to be a college football player.
“He got enough of a taste of it last year to know what his strengths are, and obviously what he’s capable of, but also some of the areas where he can improve and get better to be the dominant player that he wants to be all the time.”
Hicks was expected to be dominant when he arrived as a five-star prospect in 2023. He was the top-rated defensive tackle in the nation and the 11th overall prospect.
However, A&M’s depth chart has been loaded at defensive tackle the last two seasons, with guys like Shemar Turner, Albert Regis, McKinnley Jackson, Walter Nolen and Isaiah Raikes demanding playing time.
“(Hicks) got enough of a taste of it last year to know what his strengths are, and obviously what he’s capable of, but also some of the areas where he can improve and get better to be the dominant player that he wants to be all the time.”
So, Hicks has been brought along slowly. As a freshman, he posted just 13 tackles, two for loss and one sack. Last season, he had 17 tackles, 2.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Could this be the season he breaks out? Hicks seems to think so.
“Ever since I got here, I’ve been kind of waiting my turn,” Hicks said. “That’s what I came here for … competition and to get better. I feel like those guys I’ve been behind have made me so much better. Better as a leader and better as a player.
“I took this offseason as ‘I’ve got to just go.’ I’ve got to be able to step up in roles they’re going to need me to step up in. I’ve got to show my teammates how my teammates before me showed me. Really, just trying to step up as a leader and as a player.”
A modest start won’t prevent a grandiose finish.
For example, defensive tackle Nnamdi (Justin) Madubuike was A&M’s top-rated recruit in 2016. He redshirted his first year. In his second season, he posted just 20 tackles and no sacks.
But he posted 40-plus tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2018 and 2019. Madubuike eventually became a third round draft choice of the Baltimore Ravens.
There’s no assurances Hicks will have a similar trajectory. But Elko said the wait for Hicks wasn’t a negative. Instead, he said it just showed the strength of the program, particularly in the interior defensive line.
“I think it’s a testament to where we’ve gotten the D-line coaching to. Obviously, (former defensive line coaches) Elijah Robinson (and) Terry Price played a big role in that when they were here,” Elko said. “(Current line coaches) Sean Spencer (and) Tony Jerod-Eddie are carrying that on.
“But it just became a place where, if you’re a really talented defensive lineman, you kind to come here, you go to work with some really talented players, and you’ll get your opportunities to get where you want to go.”
Indeed, A&M has had 10 defensive ends or tackles selected in the NFL Draft since entering the Southeastern Conference.
Of those, six were taken in the third round or higher. Of course, defensive end Myles Garrett was the No. 1 overall pick in 2017.
Alex Parker, TexAgs
During three seasons at Texas A&M, Myles Garrett accounted for 32.5 sacks for 197 yards in losses.
In hopes of getting to that level, Hicks has added about 15 pounds to his 6-foot-5 frame. He’s now checking in at 310.
“It was kind of an emphasis,” Hicks said. "Last spring, I was 290. I felt like I was a little bit too small. (I) Gained a little bit of weight. It’s helped me hold the point a lot better. Play double teams a lot better. I still feel like I move great.”
The Aggies certainly hope so.
That list of A&M defensive linemen taken in the NFL Draft figures to increase by three. Therefore, A&M must replace the production of Turner and ends Shemar Stewart and Nic Scourton.
Those three provided about one-third of A&M’s sacks in 2024.
Hicks is confident he can help supply a strong pass rush.
“We’ve got great guys,” Hicks said. “(We) Still have Cashius Howell, a great rusher. We have me. I feel like I rush pretty good. (Regis) got a lot better with his pass-rush game. Tyler (Onyedim) … great rusher.
“I feel like we still have a lot of top rushers that’s still here. I think with the help of coach Elko and just following the scheme and stuff we’re going to still get to the quarterback.”
Words of advice
Elko, once a point guard, said he is available to support new basketball coach Bucky McMillan in any way necessary.
“I will certainly be here and be a resource for him in any way that he requires or he needs,” Elko said. “I don’t think I have any blanket statements other than this is a really cool place. It’s a really special place to be.
“I think we have a really, really good culture in this athletic department right now. A lot of coaches get along and support each other really well. We’re here how ever we can support you through the transition.
“I have a little feeling of what it’s like being in his shoes when you get dropped in the middle of the transfer portal and what all that feels like, but I don’t know if that helps in any way, shape or form.”
NOTES
Elko appeared miffed when told of the choice of words Hicks used to describe the defensive line’s aggressive mentality.
“It’s conveying something that shouldn’t be conveyed,” Elko said. “We’ll get that handled and addressed.”
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