#20
Aaron Hicks
Senior
Defensive Back
Aconceek, Md./Gwynn Park HS

High School: Played at Gwynn Park High School for coach Danny Hayes...played safety, cornerback, and wide receiver...All-State as a senior when he also was named All-Metro and all-league...pre-season All-American team...three-year standout who registered 200 career tackles, three interceptions, 25 pass breakups, 10 forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, and one touchdown...team posted three-year record of 23-4, won three county championships, three league titles, one regional title, and a state semifinal appearance...ran a 4.38 in the 40-yard dash...competed in 100 and 200 meter dash events in track and field...honor roll student who earned an award for perfect attendance.

At Delaware: Athletic and talented fourth-year member of the squad....three-year letterwinner is among the most experienced players in a deep and talented Blue Hen secondary that returns all four starters...looking to return at full strength after missing half of the 2007 season and all of spring drills after undergoing knee surgery...has played in 30 career games with 16 starts and posted 62 tackles (39 solo), three tackles for loss, seven pass breakups, and two interceptions...has good coverage skills and will enter season projected as the No. 3 free safety behind starter Anthony Bratton and converted quarterback Sean Scanlon...can also play cornerback and return kicks.

2007 Season: Earned third letter as a key member of the Blue Hen secondary but had season cut short midway through with a knee injury suffered in win over Navy Oct. 27...appeared in eight games and started seven before the injury...posted 26 tackles, including 17 solo stops...had two tackles for loss and broke up four passes...also returned two kickoffs for 25 yards (12.5 avg.) vs. William & Mary...moved into starting role in opener vs. William & Mary due to injury to Charles Graves and responded with a career-high 11 tackles in the win...was named the Blue Hen Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts...started the six of the next seven games before the injury...also recorded five tackles vs. Rhode Island and four vs. Monmouth...team went 11-4 and advanced to the FCS national title game under head coach K.C. Keeler...third leading tackler in spring game with seven stops.

2006 Season: Earned second letter as a backup safety and special teams performer...appeared in all 11 games with four starts and collected 12 tackles on the season, including seven solo stops...had one tackle for loss, intercepted a pass and returned it a season-long 33 yards vs. West Chester in the season opener, and broke up a pass...posted four tackles each vs. Albany and James Madison...started four of the first five games of the season at free safety before giving way to Garrett Schultz and Charles Graves...had two tackles and broke up two passes in spring game...team went 5-6.

2005 Season: Saw action immediately as a backup defensive back as a true freshman...one of eight true freshmen to see game action for the Blue Hens and one of only two (joining DE Matt Marcorelle) to play in all 11 games...part-time starter who got the opening nod in mid-season games vs. Towson and Hofstra and in the final three games of the year vs. Massachusetts, William & Mary, and Villanova...posted 24 tackles, including 15 solo stops for the season and added a half tackle for loss, one interception, and two pass breakups...recorded a career and season-high seven tackles vs. William & Mary and added five vs. Hofstra and three each vs. Towson and Massachusetts...picked off an interception in first career start vs. Towson and returned it 16 yards...team went 6-5.

Personal: Aaron Eugene Hicks...born Oct. 20, 1987...son of Bobby and Tyonnie Hicks...sport management major at Delaware...enjoys playing video games in his spare time...has an older brother...father is a minister...three cousins have played college football, Antoine Elder (Morgan State), Freddie Johnson (Texas Southern), and Tyrone McBride (Georgia Southern)...visited Africa during the summer of 2005.