'09 FL CB Willie Hickman (Verbal Offer)

[GoRU]

'09 FL CB Willie Hickman



Cornerback
Pahokee (FL) Pahokee

Ht: 5-foot-9
Wt: 139 lbs
Forty: 4.4 secs
Class: 2009 (High School)

ESPN

Hickman is a well-rounded, instinctive cornerback who has a knack for making the big pas breakup. He may lack great size with his shorter, slighter frame, but he competes for the football and shows great deep ball coverage skills. Flashes a good burst breaking under the downfield throw and expertly anticipates and times his jump to separate the football from the receiver. Plays the football not the man and knows how to high-point the ball. Pedal could be a bit more fluid but he transitions smoothly in and out turning and running hip to hip with faster receivers maintaining inside leverage. Shows the foot-quickness to effectively mirror in off-man technique and shadows receivers tightly in and out of their breaks; rarely did we see him lose much separation on shorter-to-intermediate routes in the films we viewed. Understands the concepts of zone coverage and it could be the best scheme to utilizes his skills at the next level. Reads the quarterback, reacts quickly and flashes great range in both run and pass support. Breaks off routes quickly to jump the perimeter pass and this kid will come up and pop you while setting the edge against the run. Strong, reliable openfield tackler who prefers to chop down backs low. However, size is a concern when projecting for the next level. Struggles at times fighting through the stalk-block, running through bigger ball carriers and wrapping up soundly. Despite his good athleticism and reaction skills when the ball is in the air, the jump ball could be an issue with his height and lack of strength to fight for positioning. For a smaller corner, hips can be stiff when opening and turning. Recovery speed is a question mark as well; lets receivers get behind him at times. Bottom line, Hickman is a player to evaluate for improvement during his senior season, particularly with the departure of highly-coveted corner Janoris Jenkins.

YouTube - willie hickman db

[GoRU]

No surprise Hawthorne getting attention from USF - 06/22/2008 - MiamiHerald.com

Hickman and Byrd, like Griffith, aren't receiving attention from perennial powerhouses -- but still have been noticed. Byrd has a couple of offers -- including Troy, Thompson said -- while Hickman has received verbal offers from Kansas State and Minnesota.

The 5-9, 159-pound Hickman also is Blustein's No. 6 recruit in the county.

''Hickman is a shutdown guy,'' Thompson said. ``He's like a genius with that. It's amazing how quick [he is] and how he reads coverages.''