Who is Jaden Hicks? Jaden Hicks is a rising star in the NFL, known for his impressive skills as a safety. Born on August 16, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hicks has quickly made a name for himself. From his high school days at Bishop Gorman High School, where he was named to the All-State First Team, to his college career at Washington State University, Hicks has consistently demonstrated his talent and dedication. Drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, Hicks is poised to make significant contributions to his team. His journey is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a passion for football.
Key Takeaways:
- Jaden Hicks, a standout from Las Vegas, overcame challenges to excel in football at Washington State University. His impressive college career led to his selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2024 NFL Draft.
- Hicks, known for his intelligence and maturity, aims to help the Kansas City Chiefs win multiple Super Bowls. His journey from high school success to the NFL is a testament to hard work and determination.
Early Life and High School Achievements
Jaden Hicks' journey to the NFL began in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was born and raised. His early years were marked by impressive performances on the high school football field.
- Birthdate and Place: Jaden Hicks was born on August 16, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- High School: Hicks attended Bishop Gorman High School, a powerhouse in high school football.
- High School Achievements: As a junior, Hicks had seven interceptions and returned three for touchdowns.
- All-State First Team: He was named to the All-State First Team by MaxPreps as a junior.
- Senior Season: Unfortunately, his senior season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
College Career at Washington State University
Despite the pandemic's challenges, Hicks committed to Washington State University, where he continued to shine.
- College Commitment: Hicks committed to Washington State University to play college football.
- College Debut: In his freshman year (2021), Hicks appeared in one game and redshirted the season.
- Redshirt Freshman Year (2022): As a redshirt freshman, Hicks started 11 out of 13 games.
- Freshman All-America Third Team: He was named to the Freshman All-America Third Team by College Football News.
- Midseason Freshman All-America Team: Hicks also made the Midseason Freshman All-America Team by College Football Team.
Notable College Performances
Hicks' college career was filled with standout performances that showcased his skills and potential.
- Pac-12 Freshman of the Week: Hicks earned this honor for his performance against Stanford.
- Career High Tackles: He made a career-high 12 tackles in a game against UCLA.
- First Career Interception: Hicks recorded his first career interception in a win over Colorado State.
- Double-Digit Tackles: He recorded double-digit tackles in three consecutive games: against Colorado State, Oregon, and Cal.
- Sack in Season Opener: His first career tackle was a sack in the season-opening win over Idaho.
Draft and Professional Career
Hicks' impressive college career led to his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
- Draft Selection: Jaden Hicks was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 133rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
- Draft Analysis: ESPN draft analyst Steve Muench described Hicks as a rangy run-defender.
- Role Models: Hicks lists players like Derwin James and Ed Reed as role models.
- Brother’s Influence: Hicks credits his brother Kalen with getting him to this point in his football career.
- College Major: Hicks is majoring in Business at Washington State University.
Physical Attributes and Combine Performance
Hicks' physical attributes and combine performance further highlight his potential as an NFL player.
- Height and Weight: He stands at 6 feet 1.875 inches tall and weighs 211 pounds.
- Arm Length and Hand Span: Hicks has an arm length of 31.5 inches and a hand span of 9.375 inches.
- 40-Yard Dash Time: His 40-yard dash time is 4.49 seconds.
- 10-Yard Split Time: The 10-yard split time is 1.58 seconds.
- 20-Yard Split Time: The 20-yard split time is 2.65 seconds.
- 20-Yard Shuttle Time: His 20-yard shuttle time is 4.37 seconds.
- Three-Cone Drill Time: The three-cone drill time is 6.88 seconds.
- Vertical Jump: Hicks has a vertical jump of 37.5 inches.
- Broad Jump: His broad jump is 10 feet 2 inches.
- Bench Press: He can bench press 16 reps.
Memorable College Games
Hicks had several memorable games during his college career that showcased his talent and versatility.
- Performance Against Wisconsin: Hicks made three tackles in a win at No. 19 Wisconsin.
- Performance Against Oregon: He made a career-high 11 tackles with two quarterback hurries against No. 15 Oregon.
- Performance Against Cal: Hicks started and made 11 tackles in a win over Cal.
- Performance Against USC: He made five stops at No. 6 USC.
- Performance Against Oregon State: Hicks made three tackles and broke up one pass at Oregon State.
- Performance Against Utah: He recorded eight stops against No. 14 Utah.
- Performance Against Stanford: In a win at Stanford, Hicks made six stops and returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown.
- Performance Against Arizona State: He made five tackles and one pass breakup in a win over Arizona State.
- Performance Against Arizona: Hicks recorded two tackles and broke up one pass in a win at Arizona.
- Performance Against Fresno State: In the LA Bowl, he made seven tackles and broke up two passes against Fresno State.
Future Prospects and Personal Insights
Hicks' journey is just beginning, and his future in the NFL looks promising.
- Scouting Report: Hicks is described as an instinctual three-level defensive back.
- Intelligence and Maturity: He has been lauded for his intelligence and maturity.
- Culinary Choices in Pullman: Hicks joked about the limited culinary choices available in Pullman, Washington.
- Hometown Pride: Hicks remains proud of his hometown, Las Vegas.
- Career Goals: His dream was to play football at the highest level, and he is determined to help the Kansas City Chiefs win multiple Super Bowls.
Jaden Hicks: A Rising NFL Star
Jaden Hicks' journey from Bishop Gorman High School to the Kansas City Chiefs showcases his dedication and talent. Born on August 16, 2002, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Hicks excelled in high school football, earning All-State First Team honors. Despite a canceled senior season, he committed to Washington State University, where he shined as a safety. His impressive college stats, including 76 tackles and multiple interceptions, caught the attention of NFL scouts.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft, Hicks joined the Chiefs, bringing his skills and determination to the professional level. Known for his intelligence, maturity, and versatility, he’s poised to make significant contributions to his team. With role models like Derwin James and Ed Reed, Hicks aims to help the Chiefs win multiple Super Bowls. His story inspires aspiring athletes, proving that hard work and perseverance lead to success.
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