Interview: 3-Star 2022 Arkansas CB Omarion Dickens Gathering Interest after Kansas Offer
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
What Omarion Dickens did on the field as a sophomore was impressive. Colliding against 3A Arkansas offenses, Dickens patrolled the secondary for Prescott High School playing safety and corner. As the season wore on, Dickens proved to be an extra linebacker on the field against the run and was developing the island as a shutdown corner. When the 6-1, 180-pound, defender had wrapped on the 2019 season, he had compiled 63 stops with a tackle for a loss, four passes defended, and picked one off. In his spare time, the three-star recruit was asked to provide a spark on offense hauling in three passes for 75 yards with a score added to the stat sheet.
The Curley Wolves have started the 2020 season 2-0, looking impressive along the way, and their standout defensive back is gathering recruiting interest after picking up his first offer in May coming from the Kansas Jayhawks. For an update on his junior run and action along the recruiting trail, Dickens sat down for an in-depth RNG conversation.
Interview
Omarion, last season on the field you were that do-everything kind of defensive back playing corner and safety. In your own words, what all were you doing in the Curley Wolves’ secondary a year ago?
At first, they had me playing safety for good pass coverage against passing teams, but then we found better safeties so I could play corner. We were more unstoppable that way.
Your talent at diagnosing a play comes through immediately on your game reel. Where does that come from, is that reps in practice, instincts, and/or watching a lot of game film?
I think it comes from watching a lot of game film and asking a lot of questions.
Corners get knocked for not liking to hit, but that is not you at all. Besides coming up for the tackle, when the 2019 season what were some of the other strengths to your game?
Being aggressive on the line, coming down to make the tackle, and pass coverage.
Which technical areas of your game did you work on this offseason?
I worked on my pass coverage, getting in and out of breaks, and faster hips. This offseason I have been working on my footwork a lot. I feel like that is the only thing I needed to improve on; I worked on that the most.
How did you work to add more speed, agility, and burst to your game?
We did ladder drills, footwork drills, hurdles, and we had this machine, it is heavy, we have to run full-speed to accelerate faster.
This season, where all are you lining up?
This season I am playing corner and safety.
Are you playing on offense?
I will start moving there soon. I am at receiver; we are waiting on that.
You guys have come out of the gate hot winning your first two games putting up 47 points on average and have pitched a shutout already. In your words, how is the team looking?
I feel like the team is looking better than last year. We only had six seniors last year. Those seniors showed us a lot, but we have become more aggressive and more serious this season. We have great team chemistry this year.
What are some of the coverages you guys are executing this season?
They want me on the best receiver this year. We are doing man, Cover 1, and Cover 3.
Where are you seeing the improvements in your game already?
In the pass game, I am sticking with the receiver more. It was harder for me last year to get out of my breaks.
Next up on the schedule is Hope (0-3), what kind of game will the Bobcats offense give you guys?
I expect them to come out hard, but I feel like we have more depth than them and that will make it hard on them.
Which upcoming games are you hyped to play?
Glen Rose, at the end of the year. That is a big rivalry game. It is always a close game. A lot of people show up for that one. You never know which way it will go.
Let’s get into your recruiting. Which schools are showing interest?
Rice, Colorado, Louisiana Tech, Memphis, New Mexico, and Penn State.
Doing my research, I saw that you picked up your first offer, which school offered?
Kansas.
That’s awesome. Congratulations.
Thank you.
What was it like for you getting that first offer from a D-I school?
It was amazing. I have been working hard. I never show it, but it feels good to know it is paying off.
If visits were allowed next week, are there any schools you’d like to visit?
Kansas, definitely, Colorado, Louisiana Tech – they are hitting me up the most, and Rice.
Do you compete in any other sports for Prescott?
Yes, I run track. I used to play baseball, I might do it again, and I play basketball.
Which events are you competing in with track?
The 400, 200, 100, 4×1, 4×4, and long jump.
Wow. That’s a lot of events. Which individual event is your best?
During my ninth-grade season, I was second in state in the 400. Last year, track season ended early, I did not get a good time in.
Omarion, I appreciate your time and wish you and the Curley Wolves success the rest of the way.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Dickens family; Omarion Dickens