2020 National Scouting Combine Prospect Darrius Hicks, OL from Fort Valley State University

2020 National Scouting Combine Prospect Darrius Hicks, OL from Fort Valley State University

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Darrius Hicks | Fort Valley State University | OL

Twitter: @HumbleBeast7998 | Instagram: @big_hicks79

Q: Tell us about your college career and what the recruiting process was like. Why did you choose Fort Valley State?

A: Throughout my recruitment process, I got a lot of “looks” but never any real offers. The closest were preferred walk- ons so I was prepared to walk on at Auburn, but one summer day in July, I received a call from Fort Valley State and they offered me a scholarship. It worked out well for me because Fort Valley is far away enough for me to expand but close enough to where I can get home if needed.

Q: What would you consider to be your biggest accomplishment in your sports career so far?

A: I think being an All-region player as well as being selected to the Don Hansen All super region team were both my greatest accomplishments in my collegiate career. They kept me both humble and hungry to be better.

Q: What do you consider to be one of the more important things you learned from the coaching staff while playing at Fort Valley State?

A: An abundance of things the coaching staff did and said will forever hold an impression on me. Coach Porter always told us to control what we control and to never get comfortable where you are and I use those very words everyday to better myself  

Q: What was your major and what are your plans if football doesn’t work out?

 A: my major is biology and in football doesn’t work out like I want it to, I will continue to pursue in the career of being a pediatrician. However I would like to work under one as a physicians assistant first and work my way up.

Q: What would your current/past teammates say about you and your qualities?

 A: They’d probably say I’m a great player and a silent leader. Also that I’m full of potential and have league size and potential 

Q: What has been one of the most memorable plays of your career at any level?

A: My junior year homecoming game when I caught a pass and got a touchdown! (It was taken back though)

Q: What has been your biggest challenge and how do you manage it?

A: I would say my biggest challenge is doing my very best then topping that. It’s always a challenge but a challenge I love.

Q: If you could compare yourself to a pro athlete, who would that be and why?

A: I tend not to compare myself to others but I like to model my style of play after that of La’el Collins. His strength and effort causes him to knock defender senseless and his speed is amazing on screens. This just goes to show that he is an unstoppable machine when he’s on the field like I aspire to be.

Q: What is your biggest strength that you bring to a professional team and why should pro scouts consider you?

A: What separates me is my willingness to put in the work required and then some! I have a motor and I’m driven by my family. I bring undeniable effort to the game. If blessed with the opportunity to be a part of ANY professional team, it won’t be taken for granted. I’m willing to learn and sacrifice for whoever picks me up and I’m ready to work! 

Q: Are you involved in mentoring, a charity or do you “give back”/”pay it forward” in your community?

A: I am not involved in a charity of any sort but when given the chance or when the opportunity arises, I like to coach up those who are younger than me and teach them what I know. On a larger scale, if I do get to a position where I can give back, I will.

Q: How are you preparing for the 2020 National Scouting Combine and what are your goals?

A: I will participate in the nfl pro day at Kennesaw State University as well as the National Scouting Combine. I’ve already participated in the HBCU Spirit of America Bowl and I train daily to prepare myself for different physical tests. I will continue my training in Atlanta. My goals are to make a remarkable impression on scouts and anyone else who sees me perform in to do I love to the best of my abilities. 

Q: What would be your ultimate achievement?

A: To change the way my family is living for the better and to establish  a financial freedom for my family to come would be the ultimate achievement in my eyes. As long as I can give back to those who invested so much into me, I will feel at ease.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when not playing football?

A: when I am not playing football, I am probably going to be on my game, watching TV, or working out. Besides football, there’s not much more that I do.

Q: Who is or has been the most influential person in your life?

A: I would have to say my mother. She has shown me the true meaning of strength over the 21 years of my life. Being a single mother and having to fend for three kids all by herself is one of the things I had to watch her do and it has made me a better man. Her determination to make sure her children are set up to be successful is enough to drive me and work my hardest

Q: What is something unique about you that people would find interesting?

A: Something unique about me is that although I am currently in undergrad, I graduated high school with my associates degree. Also something that may surprise people is my choice of career-a pediatrician. It’s not every day you see a 6‘5 300 lb doctor.

 

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National Scouting Combine Posts

“I would like to start this message by thanking you and everyone involved who made this opportunity possible. I am truly grateful for the experience and atmosphere you’ve cultivated through the National Scouting Combine. My journey has not been an easy one by any means. Losing my mother in 2017 to cancer, losing the house my brothers and I called home before attending this very event in 2018, and completely bombing the event left me completely shot mentally. This event that just took place gave me the motivation and hope for better days. That is exactly what has been provided to me. Opportunities I never considered have presented themselves to me with each passing day. WWE contract offers, Rugby offers, and NFL scout inquiries about what kind of man Jarrod Cann is, are just the first of many opportunities that were made real through my participation in your event! Thank you for allowing me to tell my story on such a platform and allowing me to save lives with my story.”
Jarrod Cann
Jarrod CannRB, Central Connecticut State
“The National Scouting Combine was a great opportunity for me to get official test numbers and get my information out to teams and scouts to gain necessary exposure. It is always a big challenge for athletes to get official verified numbers but the National Scouting Combine gave me this opportunity. The entire staff works with the players to put them into the best position to succeed. They give players opportunities to promote themselves on and off the field. They have a setup to do all combine tests and to perform official position drills. The event also allows for players to gain useful contacts with teams and National Scouting Combine staff members to further promote themselves. The National Scouting Combine provided me with a chance to showcase my abilities as a free agent and put myself in a good position to have success in my pursuit to play professional football. I want thank the National Scouting Combine staff for giving players this unique chance to demonstrate their skills.”
Chris Bury
Chris BuryTE, Notre Dame
“I had a great experience at the combine. The whole staff was extremely positive and really wanted the best for all of the players that attended. Being that I was a free agent and a season removed from NFL camps it was crucial for me to get new numbers to show I was still working hard. My only opportunity so far came from a scout who attended the combine. As players that’s why we attend these events, to be seen by the pro levels. I’m very greatful for the opportunity that was came from the combine. I’ll be recommending it to every player possible in the future who’s looking to go pro.”
Dillon Salva
Dillon SalvaTE, Merrimack
My experience at the National Scouting Combine was an extremely positive one. Coming from a small school (Bryant University – Division I AA), opportunities to showcase my athleticism and measurables to pro scouts were scarce. However, Jimmy and his team gave me that opportunity when they put together a first-class event, in an outstanding venue and invited hundreds of players that had been overlooked or just wanted the opportunity to showcase their abilities. The connections, advice and coaching I received at the 2018 National Scouting Combine were priceless, as many pro scouts and coaches began to get in contact with me during and immediately after the combine. Jimmy and his team did an outstanding job of incorporating new, cutting edge technologies into the combine, while inviting well-respected coaches, scouts and former professional players to run the drills and provide coaching. Jimmy provided me with a platform to chase my dream of playing professional football that I would not otherwise have had, and in turn is part of the reason why many CFL teams took interest in me, why I was invited to Rookie Minicamps with the Jets and Texans and why I have now signed with the Orlando Apollo’s of the new Alliance of American Football League. The invitation to the 2018 National Scouting Combine was a blessing to me and my career and I would recommend any and all small school or overlooked college football player to attend and take advantage of this combine that, with Jimmy leading it, will continue to get better every single year.
Matt Sewell
Matt SewellWR, Bryant University
“My testimonial would be because of COVID-19, it has hindered my ability to showcase my talents at pro days, workouts, and tryouts. But, because of the NSC I can still send official numbers and video to each team, while also gaining the opportunity to meet scouts in face and build a relationship with them. Lastly, the NSC is second only to the NFL combine which helps me have something else to hang my hat on as one of the top performers!”
Jamal Ware
Jamal WareLB, Maryville College
“Thank you for the support and helping with promoting me for the next level. I am most definitely interested and my experience at the national scouting combine was incredible. It was my first official opportunity and it was a professional combine. All verified, legitimate laser times and numbers are vital to have especially in the times we are facing today. All of the coaches and personnel involved were professional in every aspect. It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to be apart of the national scouting combine and I can’t be more grateful to have verified numbers.”
Kyle Haines
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“First and foremost I would like to thank the NSC staff for giving me the opportunity to showcase my skills in front of scouts and allow myself to get relevant combine numbers. This combine is by far the best Combine I have been to. The rooms were great and the food that was provided by NSC was great as well. You can feel that they had a passion for helping those who may not have had an NFL Combine invite and others who are just chasing that opportunity. They were extremely supportive and willing to market the players in every way possible. I was beyond impressed with the testing once we got going. Everything was very organized and professional just as it should be. When it came to the testing they had both hand time and laser time which makes your test times that much more official. The number of scouts that attended the Scouting Combine was even better. This staff truly knows how to put together a legit A+ combine experience and was by far the best combine experience I have been a part of.”
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Tyler Anderson
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Pursuing a career in professional football from a small school is a lonely path. A prospect may have the support of his peers, family, and teammates, but the process can be overwhelming and very confusing. Often times small school prospects don’t have access to the resources provided to prospects at football powerhouses. “How can I get myself in front of scouts? How can I prove to them that I can play at the next level?” These are only a few of the many questions that race through a potential prospects mind on a daily basis. The Beyond Sports Network National Combine helped simplify this process for many of the players that attended, including myself. Despite the combine being held for a few days, the information and services provided by the combine, as well as the sense of community between the staff members and prospects stood out to me. Every test that would be performed at the NFL combine was covered, every coach and staff member supported each prospect to an unbelievable extent, and the amount of scouts and agents in attendance and how interactive they were was impressive. The Beyond Sports Network National Scouting Combine was a critical step in attempting to take my talents to the next level. If you are a small school prospect with no clear path to the next level, the National Scouting Combine will certainly clear up the path for you.
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BSN gave me the platform I needed to be respected as a athlete. I came to there first Combine in 2010. I was pulled by every NFL, CFL scout. At that time there were a couple really good WRs including a SEC top WR who NFL scouts were coming to see. Once I put up good #s in my Testing Drills, we did one on ones. I showed my great covering skills to the point all the scouts herd the WRs talking and asking who was this guy. Then BSN promoted me and my numbers and I received workouts on all levels. I became a name in the business. Having legit numbers and respectable organization backing you is what you need. Everyone can say they can play and perform but coaches and scouts don’t believe you. BSN gives you the stage to perform and prove them wrong and get the opportunity you deserve. Because of BSN I was able to create a long professional career and when needed comeback to prove I could still play at a high level.
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