Overview
David Hicks arrived at Texas as the top-ranked defensive lineman in his class and immediately showed why. As a true sophomore, he’s become one of the most disruptive interior defenders in college football, blowing up plays in the backfield with consistency that’s rare for his age.
Hicks is a true three-technique who wins with quickness and explosion rather than sheer mass. He gets off the ball faster than almost anyone in the country and converts that initial burst into pressure. The production has matched the athleticism, and he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.
Strengths
First-step quickness is elite. Hicks fires out of his stance with explosive burst and consistently beats offensive linemen to the punch. He’s in the backfield before guards can get their hands on him.
Natural pass rush instincts. He has a feel for timing, sets up his rushes effectively, and knows when to use power vs. finesse. The counter moves are already developing.
Motor runs extremely hot. Hicks plays with relentless effort and makes plays down the line because he never stops working. Effort is never in question.
Production has been immediate. Double-digit TFLs as a sophomore demonstrates that the physical tools are translating to impactful play.
Versatility to play multiple interior positions. He can line up as a one-tech in odd fronts or a three-tech in even fronts, giving coordinators flexibility.
Weaknesses
Undersized for an interior lineman by NFL standards. At 305 pounds, he may struggle against double teams and powerful run-blocking schemes.
Can get washed out of his gap against physical offensive lines. His quickness-based style doesn’t always hold up when teams commit to moving him.
Needs to develop his anchor. Too often, he gets pushed off his spot when he doesn’t win initially. NFL centers and guards will exploit this.
Still young and developing. The sophomore tape shows immense potential but also the inconsistency typical of a player still learning.
Bottom Line
David Hicks is an ascending prospect with legitimate first-round potential. His quickness and pass rush ability from the interior are rare traits that translate directly to the NFL, where penetrating three-techniques are highly valued.
The concerns about size are legitimate, but today’s NFL has room for undersized interior players who can disrupt. Aaron Donald proved that quickness and explosiveness matter more than mass. Hicks isn’t Donald, but he’s built in a similar mold, and that’s extremely exciting.