Name: Darren Hicks Jr
School: Southwestern College (Ks) 
Position: DE/DT/3 Tech 
Height: 6-1
Weight: 270

Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?

Some goals I set this season, was to win another conference championship, and also make a run in the playoffs as well this year, neither one of those two goals were checked off, BUT I did manage to snag another all conference award which was nice.

Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?

They would say I’m someone who is very relentless, a leader on & off the field, a competitor, hard worker, and also a true student of the game as well.

Q: When you are studying film, what are the things you focus on to improve your game?

When I’m studying film, one of the biggest things I focus on is TENDENCIES from the Offensive Line, the way they kickstep, how light they’re on their hands to give away something, if they shoot their hands high or low, is he a over-setter? Just things of that nature. But also the Offensive formations as well. I want to try and see the play before it actually happens, so that way I can put my teammates & myself in the best position as possible to be successful.

Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?

What separates me from the other prospects at my position, is DEFINITELY my getoff! My ability to get off the ball is my strong suit, and I’ve always been told that as well. If you have a good getoff, pretty much everything else takes care of itself as far as defensive line play goes. Also I am very versatile on the D line, throughout my career I’ve played nose guard, 3 technique, and defensive end for my school when asked of me. So that is really what I think separates me from all the other guys at my position.

Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?

As of now my off-season plan is to continue training here in KS, and fix some things that I know I need to be better at, especially at the pro level. I really need to take an approach as far as ankle mobility, hip mobility, & just my overall ability to bend. Also creating more POWER and FORCE through my getoff is the plan as well, along with getting more quick & twitchy.

Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?

I will bring a hard hat & lunch pail type of energy to a team, meaning I will show up to work HARD day in day out, and also be sure to hold myself accountable and be the best teammate I can be, and help push those guys as well. As far as off the field one of my old coaches told me “Don’t let your OFF THE FIELD AFFECT YOUR ON THE FIELD” so off the field they won’t have to worry about me getting into trouble, or doing things I have no business doing, I was also raised better than that.

Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL and any other pro leagues?

My final pitch to the NFL teams, or any other pro league would be that I’m a guy who has been counted out since day 1, in my HS I wasn’t projected to go play college ball compared to any of my other peers, and when I got to college, I had to overcome more adversity BUT I loved it. If you take a chance on me you won’t regret it, I don’t know how to stop, so I can’t stop! I have to keep going, and you’re going to get a guy who no matter how hard it gets, he will see it through and PUSH himself & his teammates to the end.