Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas CB Omarion Dickens Drawing National Interest after Lockdown Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The cover skills continue to grow for Omarion Dickens, along with those college football programs that believe the Class of 2022 corner can be an asset for their team. The 6-1, 180-pound, three-star defender piled up an estimated 30 tackles during his junior run with 1.5 tackles for a loss, a half-sack, five passes defended, forced a fumble, and picked one off. After helping Prescott High School to a 10-1 season in 2020, their standout recruit has an offer down from Kansas with interest ranging to the Pac-12, Conference USA, Sun Belt, and to the Ivy League.
*Click link for Nov. 2020 RNG interview with Omarion Dickens
Interview
Omarion, we covered ground last about halfway through the 2020 season. Let’s catch everyone up on what you were doing within the Curley Wolves defense at corner. What scheme were you guys running and what were some of the coverages you were executing?
Cover 1, 2, 3, and cover man with one safety in a 3-4. I was playing corner, but sometimes I would drop to safety. Primarily, I stayed at corner on the strong side doing whatever we needed to do.
Running a Cover 2, Cover 3, or man, what do you like about the different defenses and what do you feel you do well in each?
I like Cover 2 and man, because I can press. I feel more comfortable putting my hands on the receiver. But in Cover 3, I can play off. They do not normally see that from me and I can still guard. I like all of them, and I like that you can disguise what you are doing. We disguise our defense so they do not know what is coming.
Since the season ended, what have you been working on with your skills as a defensive back?
More flexibility, getting stronger and faster. I am getting my coordination and fundamentals down as a DB.
Are you going to play receiver in 2021?
Yes, I am starting both ways this year.
What work have you been getting in for that position this winter?
I have been working on my footwork, releases off the line, and eye coordination.
What are some of the drills or exercises you’ve been doing to increase your footspeed and agility?
Ladder drills and using cones. Our coach has a new speed machine, the weight increases while you run. And I have been doing hurdles.
Have you posted a 40 time this offseason?
Yes, but with a stop watch. I ran a 4.5.
You mentioned hurdles, are you competing in track this spring?
Yes, sir.
Which events?
The 100, 200, 400, 4×1, 4×2, and 4×4, and long jump.
Dang. That’s a lot of events. I hope they buy you a pizza after the meets or something.
My legs will be sore the day after a meet.
No doubt. Back to football. Are you playing 7v7 this spring?
Yes, sir. We’ve been practicing, but I am not sure when our first tournament will be.
Are there any camps coming up you may attend?
I plan on going to the Monster Camp in Maumelle.
Let’s get into recruiting now. You have the offer from Kansas, which programs are showing interest?
Harvard, Cornell, Washington, Columbia, Colorado, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana, and Tulane.
Nice. When visits get going this summer, are there any schools you’d like to go check out as of right now?
Yes. I’d like to visit Kansas, Colorado, and Arkansas State.
Omarion, it was great catching up with you. Keep up the hard work. And wishing you the absolute best of luck with all of those events this track season.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Dickens family; Omarion Dickens
Featured photo credit: Nick Wenger; Omarion Dickens