'Put everything on my shoulders': Ja'von Hicks ready to be UC's next great safety

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The standard at the safety position is sky high at the University of Cincinnati. The Bearcats have had four safeties drafted to the NFL in Luke Fickell’s five seasons as head coach. Three of those safeties are currently vying for prominent roles on their respective teams.

As Darrick Forrest (Washington Commanders), James Wiggins (Arizona Cardinals) and Bryan Cook (Kansas City Chiefs) are working through NFL training camp, their former Bearcats teammate, Ja’von Hicks, is working to uphold the standard they set at Cincinnati.

“It has its moments where it has its highs,” Hicks said of the responsibility of upholding that standard. “I enjoy leading the young guys. And then there’s times where it’s also stressful, being that I’m the only real veteran in the safety room. I’m OK with it, though. Put everything on my shoulders. I'm OK with leading the young bulls."

Cincinnati Bearcats safety Ja'von Hicks (3) intercepts a pass in the end zone as Murray State Racers wide receiver Jacob Bell (17) chases him in the first half of the NCAA football game between Cincinnati Bearcats and Murray State Racers on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bearcats safety Ja'von Hicks (3) intercepts a pass in the end zone as Murray State Racers wide receiver Jacob Bell (17) chases him in the first half of the NCAA football game between Cincinnati Bearcats and Murray State Racers on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.

Hicks could’ve tried his luck in the 2022 NFL Draft like his longtime friend Cook, but he decided instead to stay at Cincinnati for one more season thanks in large part to the efforts of Bearcats co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach Colin Hitschler.

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“Last year, he was a vocal leader,” Hitschler said. “Him and Cook were a steady presence in the back end of one of the best secondaries in the country. He’s been there and done it. It’s great to have him back. It was a huge recruiting battle to bring him back for a fifth year. It was as important as any recruiting battle there is. From a leadership standpoint, he just brings that calmness to the room.”

With 29 career starts, including starting all 14 games alongside Cook and All-American cornerbacks Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Coby Bryant last season, Hicks is now the undisputed leader of Cincinnati’s defensive backfield.

While senior Arquon Bush is working to get the Bearcats’ inexperienced group of cornerbacks up to speed in time for the season-opener Sept. 3 at Arkansas, it’s Hicks who needs to corral UC's equally untested safeties.

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“It’s a talented room,” Hitschler said. “But there are a lot of guys who haven’t played as much football that are relying on him to be their leader and show them the way every day in practice. Through the hard parts of camp, he keeps them calm and at peace.”

Cincinnati Bearcats safety Ja'von Hicks (3) catches a ball in a drill during a spring practice at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, March 24, 2022.
Cincinnati Bearcats safety Ja'von Hicks (3) catches a ball in a drill during a spring practice at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Hicks’ contagious calm demeanor comes from his experience. His peace comes from the joy he’s felt while gaining that experience in front of his friends and family in his hometown.

Hicks, a former standout at Colerain High School, elected to stay home and play at Cincinnati, even though the Bearcats had just finished 4-8 in 2017 under then-first-year head coach Luke Fickell.

Since then, Hicks has played a pivotal role in helping Cincinnati amass a 44-7 record over the last four seasons.

“Who would’ve thought when we got here in 2018 that this train would’ve got rolling the way that it did?” Hicks said. “It’s not shocking to me because I see the work we do out here at Higher Ground. I love it. I can’t wait for this season."

Before this season gets underway, Cincinnati must first figure out who will be the other safety alongside Hicks. Seniors Will Adams and Jacob Dingle and sophomore Bryon Threats are expected to contend for the spot. Hitschler said Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Nippert Stadium along with the team’s scheduled scrimmage the following week will go a long way in determining the team’s defensive rotation.

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Another player hoping to be in the mix at safety this season is junior Ethan Wright. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound former running back switched positions prior to fall camp following the arrival of LSU transfer and former Roger Bacon High School standout running back Corey Kiner.

Cincinnati Bearcats running back Ethan Wright (4) runs passed Southern Methodist Mustangs defensive tackle Will Jones (95) in the second half of the NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Southern Methodist Mustangs 48-14.
Cincinnati Bearcats running back Ethan Wright (4) runs passed Southern Methodist Mustangs defensive tackle Will Jones (95) in the second half of the NCAA football game on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats defeated Southern Methodist Mustangs 48-14.

“Coach Fick has wanted me on the defensive side of the ball really since I got here,” Wright said. “So, we’re going to give it a try, see if it works for me. I’m enjoying it so far.”

Wright, who played several positions, including safety, at Manchester High School in the Akron area, admitted the change has had its challenges (like being comfortable enough to tackle his close friend, running back Charles McClelland). But Wright said he trusts Fickell.

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“In the spring, I was with a great group in the running backs. I was thriving,” he said. “We were making each other better every single day. Now, I’m in the safety group, and it’s the same amount of competitive spirit in there. Each kid is pushing me to get better. The group is really led by Hicks.”

Making his transition to defense easier, Wright is shacking up with Hicks during camp. Wright said Hicks uses the bathroom for a long time, putting a strain on their living arrangement. But outside of that, Wright said he's taking advantage of the extra time with Hicks to soak up whatever he can from the veteran safety.

"He's helping me a lot with this position change," he said. "Whenever I need help, I can talk to him. I really appreciate that."

Cincinnati Bearcats safety Ja'von Hicks (3) upends Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Jahleel Billingsley in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl Classic, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Cincinnati Bearcats safety Ja'von Hicks (3) upends Alabama Crimson Tide tight end Jahleel Billingsley in the second quarter during the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the 86th Cotton Bowl Classic, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Hicks knows what it's like to transition to a different position under Fickell. A former star wide receiver at Colerain, Hicks switched to safety after arriving at Cincinnati. But Hicks trusted Fickell, and it's worked out.

"At the end of the day, it's football," Hicks said. "It doesn't change. High school or college, it's still football. They threw me back there (at safety). It was new. (Wright) played running back. Safety is new to him. But as time goes on, he'll adjust. He's going to be a very, very good player."

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Wright's time in the defensive backfield will come, but Hicks' time is now. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound college graduate, who led the American Athletic Conference with five interceptions in 2019, said he has spent a lot of time this summer speaking to Cook about what he needs to do to maximize his final college season. Hicks said Cook told him he needs to develop a routine and stick to it.

Hicks has done just that.

"My quote with Cook was always, 'He's a pro, playing college football,'" Hitschler said. "Hicks is learning that now, he's not just a college football player, he's a pro. He's done with school. He's a pro, getting ready to be drafted."

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats football safety Ja'von HIcks embracing new role