Interview: Talented Kansas 2019 DE Marcus Hicks gets Oklahoma State Tour with Coach Gundy
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
Few college football coaches put much time or emphasis on recruiting players out of the Sunflower State, which is a shame because they are missing out on some very talented and undervalued prospects. The top rated in-state players in the 2017 class matriculated off to backyard powers Kansas State and Kansas but also inked letters of intent on signing day with Notre Dame (Jafar Armstrong), Northwestern (Trevor Kent), Minnesota (Harry Van Dyne), Iowa State (Angel Dominguez), and Iowa (Djimon Colbert). Even though all the players mentioned were rated as three-star talents or less, the Power 5 Conference teams that took the time to scout the state of Kansas were rewarded. A 2019 talent from Wichita being overlooked outside the region is Northwest defensive end Marcus Hicks.
Hicks was a late season call-up during his freshman season with the Grizzlies watching his varsity squad go 10-1 earning a MaxPreps Top 15 in-state ranking. During his sophomore season in 2016, Hicks showed flashes of great potential off raw natural talent tallying 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and one pass batted down in stats posted through seven games.
While the stat line may not be overwhelming, the work put in against 6A competition was impressive enough to earn offers from Kansas State and Oklahoma State with teams like Michigan and Kansas showing interest. Over the weekend Oklahoma State hosted the 6-5, 225 pound, defensive end on another unofficial visit taking another step forward in building that relationship that could lead to a pairing on National Signing Day in 2019.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Hicks for a one-on-one interview covering his trip to Stillwater.
Interview
Marcus, when did your unofficial visit with Oklahoma State take place?
“We got there around ten o’clock Friday morning and went all day.”
Who went with you?
“My dad (Kelvin Hicks).”
What all did you do during this visit with the Cowboys?
“I talked with a few of the coaches. Coach (Mike) Gundy took me through the campus. We talked about the academic programs and their facilities. We ate lunch. After that I spoke with their academic counselors and then I watched their practice at the end of the day.”
What all did Coach Gundy talk to you about when he was showing you around?
“He talked about how Coach (Rob) Glass (strength and conditioning coach) gets their players to the point where they need to be with nutrition and strength. He also talked about how he wants us to be ready for the real world after college, they will help us with that.”
Did Coach Gundy or any of the coaches talk to you about how you would fit into their defensive scheme?
“No.”
Did you get to meet with your position coach?
“Yes. Coach (Joe Bob) Clements met with us when we got there.”
What all did you and Coach Clements talk about?
“He showed me and my dad some of their practice film. We talked about how their schemes are based off NFL teams like the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.”
Did you get to sit in on any team meetings before the practice?
“There was a meeting but unfortunately we missed it because we were talking to the academic counselor.”
With the schemes that Coach Clements showed you, did you see yourself fitting in with the style of defense OSU plays?
“Yes. It seemed complicated but I got the gist of it and what I could do in their defense.”
Overall, was your trip to OSU a good one?
“Yes. It went really well.”
What was your overall impression of the campus and facilities?
“It was really nice. That was my first time actually seeing the campus. They seem like they treat their athletes very well. The freshmen get an apartment style room with four other athletes.”
What all did you see on your previous visits?
“All we saw before was the stadium.”
Did you set up another visit with Oklahoma State while you were there?
“No.”
Do you have any other visits coming up?
“Yes, I have a Spring Game visit with KU (Kansas) on the 24th.”
How are your off-season workouts going?
“My workouts are going good. I am doing track right now throwing the shot and discus. It is an easier off-season for me waiting for football again.”
Are you throwing well so far?
“Yeah. Last year I broke the discus record for a freshman throwing it 140-feet. With the shotput I got second.”
How far have you thrown the shot and discus so far this season?
“We have not had any meets yet. In practice my shot was around 49-feet and my discus was around 145-feet.”
Have you made any decisions on which upcoming camps you might attend when track season is over?
“I am going to some camps but I do not have the dates yet. I’m going to the OSU o-line and d-line camp and I might be going to a satellite camp for KU. I’ve been invited to the Rivals camp in St. Louis but I do not know if I am going there or not yet.”
Marcus, thanks for your time today and good luck with your upcoming track meets.
“Thank you.”
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo credit: Hicks family; Marcus Hicks with Coach Gundy at OSU (March 24, 2017).