Ed Bouchette from the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reports on Monday that the Pittsburgh Steelers are arranging for a pre draft visit for University of Regina defensive end Akiem Hicks. Hicks measured in at the NFL scouting combine at 6045 and weighed 318 pounds. He has long arms at 35 1/8 and sports a 10 1/4 hand size. His unofficial 40 yard dash time was 5.23 and he did 26 reps of 225 pounds on the bench. His vertical jump was 31.5 inches to go along with a 9 foot broad jump. His 20 yard shuttle time was 4.86 seconds and his three cone time was 7.75 seconds.
Hicks led the 2011 Canada West conference with 6.5 sacks during the regular season. He led his team in solo tackles (38), total tackles (35.5) and forced fumbles (two). He also had 8 thrown for loss tackles to go along with 3 pass break ups and 3 passes defensed.
Hicks was originally recruited by LSU but left the program following an NCAA investigation. He played up and down the line for Regina and is likely best suited as a 5 technique defensive end at the next level. He needs work in holding his ground at the point of attack, but sheds his blocker well when lined up outside. He also shows great gap ability and can also push the pocket well when lined up inside or out. He is very raw and most likely will be drafted in the 6th or 7th round if selected at all.
You can watch some Youtube video of him below:
