Overview

Hicks is an interesting late-riser prospect coming into the draft following a career playing college football in Canada, at the little-known University of Regina in Saskatchewan. He started at LSU, but circumstances surrounding his recruitment led him north of the border. He has the size to play on the front lines and could have late-round value for a team willing to develop him.
Analysis

Strengths

Hicks has a promising frame, not only to play at defensive tackle but also outside at end in a 3-4 scheme. He is athletic and shows a strong burst and agility off the snap to get into opposing offensive linemen. He has decent strength to defeat blockers, but he prefers to make an athletic move and quickly get into the backfield. He is athletic in open space, and this is where his value is most evident. He has NFL-caliber size, agility and burst off the ball.
Weaknesses

Hicks has been a slow developer who has played two full seasons of junior college ball (Sacramento City College) and then two seasons in Canada. It remains to be seen how readily adaptable his skills are to the pros given that level of competition. While teams might want him as an end based off his size, Hicks can get overwhelmed at the point of attack against double teams, and he doesn't have many moves in his arsenal to counter. He is a decent run defender, but plays too upright at times; technique is the main hitch in every aspect of his game.

Akiem Hicks, DT/NT, Regina University (Canada)
Height: 6-5. Weight: 318.
40 Time: 5.21.
Bench: 26.
Vertical: 31.5. Broad: 9-0.
Arm: 35 1/8. Hand: 10 1/8.
Projected Round (2012): 4-6.
4/25/12: Hicks was decent at the Combine, but doing well in his team interviews were probably more critical than having a big field performance. The Canada product Hicks caught scouts attention by flashing at the East-West Shrine practices. He is a large man who has some quickness and athleticism.

Hicks was at LSU before leaving the program in January of 2010. He was signed out of the community college ranks prior to that. Hicks has physical tools, but teams will need to do research into his background.