2023 NFL Draft Diamonds Scouting Report: Ja’Von Hicks, S, Cincinnati

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Ja’Von Hicks, #3
School (Code)	OHCI
DOB, Class Yr	06/10/2000, GR
Height, Weight	6010, 0210
40 Yd Dash	4.55
Arms, Hands	32 ¾, 10
Position/Depth	FS, 1st string
Honors/Captainship	(2019) Honorable Mention All-American Athletic Conference Selection
Season Viewed (yr)	(2022) (2021)
Games Watched	(2022) GAKS (2022) ARUN (2021) NCEA (2021) INND
Scout Name / Date	Victor Horn / 11-22-2022

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First) 

2021	GP 14 SOLO 31 AST 25 TOT 56 TFL-YDS 2-10 INT 2 PD 5 FR 2
2020	GP 9 SOLO 9 AST 4 TOT 13 TFL-YDS 1-4 PD 2 FF 1 FR 1
2019	GP 14 SOLO 33 AST 17 TOT 50 TGL-YDS 0.5-0 INT 5 PD 6 FF 2 FR 4
2018	GP 10 SOLO 5 AST 6 TOT 11 PD 1

Player Summary:

Hicks has the body type of an average NFL FS. Plays with a SS mindset, style. Bulked up more muscle, showing a big difference in body frame compared to last year to this year which is a plus. An experienced multi-year starting safety for the OHCI defense. Hicks is a free safety playing in a 2 high safety defensive secondary majority aligning to the field side. He plays MOF in 1 high-safety look. His fluid of motion is average and plays with safety leverage. In the run game, does well in run support especially coming downhill with leverage looking to effectuate the play negatively. Does a good job on outside run support effectively running downhill taking the proper angle, being physical at POC, turning the play back inside for a stop from the pursuit of defense. Not as effective lateral as downhill while pursuing ball carrier, does not possess blazing speed, taking poor angles when running lateral for a run stop. Willingly sticks head in to stop the ball carrier. Fearless and physical in taking on blocks uses proper technique at poc of block with sound leverage, bent knees, arms separate from body with hands latched on breastplate of blocker. Keeping his feet moving at the POC enables Hicks to shed, control, or get off block timely to negatively effectuate the play. Plays a lot of zone pass coverage in OHCI defense. Not as sound technically, gets the job done as a DS with athleticism, defensive acumen. Does well playing man up front at the LOS, and while the offensive player is his stemming route. Capable of improving man coverage technique. Shows DS abilities more effectively near LOS in pass and run coverage.

Scheme Fit:

2 High, 1 High, Tampa 2, 1 High 1 Low

Power Statement:

Tough, physical free safety showed improvement physically and mentally within a year. Has good field awareness, acumen, and confidence as the last line of OHCI defense. Not as technically sound although has room to get better in slot man coverage. Plays best near the LOS as an effective run stopping SS or OLB.