National Signing Day 2017: CB Faion Hicks begins Wisconsin career as early enrollee

One of the Wisconsin Badgers’ six early enrollees, Faion Hicks comes to Wisconsin with North Carolina’s Madison Cone as the two cornerbacks in the class of 2017. Both will be available for winter conditioning and spring practices, which will allow them to acclimate well to defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard’s secondary.

His star rankings may not pop, but Hicks is an underrated player who could end up being a steal, according to five-star cornerback Stanford Samuels in an interview with 247Sports’ Ryan Bartow:

"Wisconsin is getting a brilliant player in Faion," Samuels said as he arrived at the Under Armour All-American Bowl week. "He understands football so well. He will always be in position to make plays."

Rankings

247Sports (composite): Three stars; Grade: 0.8091; No. 1,852 overall; No. 189 CB, No. 288 Fla.

247Sports: Two stars; Grade: 79; No. 1,983 overall; No. 199 CB; No. 291 Fla.

ESPN: Three stars; Grade: 70; No. 135 CB; No. 687 Southeast Regional; No. 265 Fla.

Rivals: Three stars; No. 58 CB; No. 96 Fla.

Scout: Three stars; No. 107 CB; No. 42 South CB; No. 16 Fla. CB

Verbally committed on Oct. 16, 2016

Hicks was Wisconsin's 11th known verbal pledge for 2017. B5Q’s Andrew Rosin praised the underrated Florida defensive back’s skills:

Hicks, while average-sized for his position at 5’11 and 180 pounds, comes into Wisconsin with tremendous athleticism and a skill to cover prospects man to man. A shoulder injury in the spring limited his ability to get seen and get tested, but he put up a 4.57 40-yard dash time and a 36.9-inch vertical leap going into his junior season. On September 26, the Badgers gave him an offer, and near-instantly became the favorites for Hicks.

Hicks earned Power Five offers from Illinois and Iowa State, along with other opportunities from Cincinnati, Florida Atlantic, Northern Illinois, South Florida, Southern Mississippi, Toledo and Western Michigan.

"The coaching part of the program is what got me," Hicks told BadgerNation.com back in October. "Coach Leonhard is excited to work with me, and through out the process, has always sent me feedback on my highlights and that was big for me; someone willing to coach me and get me ready for the next level.”

Video highlights

Honors

Sun Sentinel’s 2016 All-County football 8A-6A second-team defense

Sun Sentinel’s 2014 All-County football Class 5A-4A-3A-2A honorable mention

Bio (courtesy UWBadgers.com)

High School: Three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and Scout … finished career with 7 interceptions and 75 tackles … rushed for 1,356 yards and 13 touchdowns … second-team All-Broward County by South Florida Sun Sentinel as a senior after helping lead Flanagan to regional semifinals … recorded 30 tackles and 3 interceptions as a senior … selected for Miami Dolphins Dade vs. Broward All-Star Game … as a junior, helped clinch Flanagan’s state title with fourth-quarter touchdown run in 2015 Class 8A championship game … honorable mention All-Broward County as a sophomore and junior … rushed for 856 yards and 8 touchdowns as a sophomore … ran for 500 yards and 3 TDs as a junior … three-year team captain … coach was Standford Samuels

Personal: Parents are Dhalid Johnson and Schevette Glinton … enjoys playing chess