De'Arieun Hicks is an emerging FCS interior disruptor with real Power-4 upside
In the 2025 season, De'Arieun Hicks was a productive Gardner-Webb defensive lineman, posting 21 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery in 12 games, while also earning strong league-level pressure grades that point to upside beyond the box score.[1][5][6] At 6-foot-4 and about 285 pounds, he brings the frame and leverage to hold up inside, and his production suggests a steady, high-effort trench player who can collapse pockets and fit a physical defensive front.[6][10] For a team, he looks like a good fit if you want a young DL with growth potential, reliability, and disruptive flashes rather than a finished product.[5][6]
