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Texas A&M's 2026 defensive line will feature several newcomers from the transfer portal, needing to replace the likes of unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell, and defensive tackles Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim, who were all selected in the second and third rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft as three of the record 10 players picked on the weekend.
After announcing his return for a fourth and final season, former five-star DL DJ Hicks, once regarded as one of the best defensive line prospects of all time, will need to step up as one of the veteran leaders on defense after recording a career high 26 tackles, 15 pressures, and four sacks in 2025.
Still possessing the elite traits that made him a blue-chip recruit, NFL scouts are looking for more consistency as a run defender, while his one-on-one interior pass rush ability will also need to improve. At 6'3" and over 300 pounds, Hicks will be one of the more scouted defensive linemen this season, alongside transfer edge rusher Anto Saka
Last season, there were plenty of flashes, including Hicks' best performance per Pro Football Focus coming against Notre Dame on the road, recording four tackles, a pressure, and three stops, which helped prevent future first-round picks and star running back Jeremiyah Love from taking over the game.
This week, even though the 2027 NFL Draft is a little less than a year away, the tape grinders have watched Hicks, including draft guru Cory Kinnan, who sees DJ Hicks as a draft "sleeper" who has a chance to steadily rise up as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 draft.
This is quite the projection, and further proves that Hicks, working under coach Mike Elko, defensive line coaches Elijah Robinson and Tony Jerod-Eddie, and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, has a chance to reach his full potential in the trenches, which will also help lead the Aggies back to the College Football Playoff.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's DJ Hicks is a 'sleeper' in 2027 NFL DL draft class
Continue reading...
After announcing his return for a fourth and final season, former five-star DL DJ Hicks, once regarded as one of the best defensive line prospects of all time, will need to step up as one of the veteran leaders on defense after recording a career high 26 tackles, 15 pressures, and four sacks in 2025.
Still possessing the elite traits that made him a blue-chip recruit, NFL scouts are looking for more consistency as a run defender, while his one-on-one interior pass rush ability will also need to improve. At 6'3" and over 300 pounds, Hicks will be one of the more scouted defensive linemen this season, alongside transfer edge rusher Anto Saka
Last season, there were plenty of flashes, including Hicks' best performance per Pro Football Focus coming against Notre Dame on the road, recording four tackles, a pressure, and three stops, which helped prevent future first-round picks and star running back Jeremiyah Love from taking over the game.
This week, even though the 2027 NFL Draft is a little less than a year away, the tape grinders have watched Hicks, including draft guru Cory Kinnan, who sees DJ Hicks as a draft "sleeper" who has a chance to steadily rise up as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2027 draft.
This is quite the projection, and further proves that Hicks, working under coach Mike Elko, defensive line coaches Elijah Robinson and Tony Jerod-Eddie, and new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, has a chance to reach his full potential in the trenches, which will also help lead the Aggies back to the College Football Playoff.
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M's DJ Hicks is a 'sleeper' in 2027 NFL DL draft class
Continue reading...
