There won't be many prospects more prepared for life in the NFL than Cincinnati safety Ja'Von Hicks.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hicks enjoyed a sensational last two seasons with the Bearcats. He anchored one of arguably the nation’s top pass defenses, as Cincinnati - which featured 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner - ranked best in the nation in pass efficiency en route to the College Football Playoffs in 2021. Hicks could’ve tried his luck in the 2022 NFL Draft, but he decided instead to stay at college level for one more season.
During his time with Cincinnati, Hicks played on a Bearcats defence that featured several future NFL draft picks - including top-five pick Gardner - so he often didn't receive the recognition he deserved. With an exciting combination of athleticism and an eye for the ball, he tallied 197 tackles, 10 interceptions and three forced fumbles over his five-year career, while the safety was named a Second-Team All-AAC star as a senior after he allowed just a 46 percent completion rate and 128 yards in 12 starts.
