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Solon cornerback commits to Michigan State
Solon cornerback commits to Michigan State
By TONY LANGE
Thought is energy, and when the Solon Comets engage Shaker Heights on the gridiron Aug. 24, Darian Hicks said, he wants the game of football on his mind and nothing else.
The upcoming senior made a verbal commitment June 20 to attend and play football with the Spartans at Michigan State University.
"I didn't want to wait until my season started to make a decision, because it might have not been there still, and I just wanted it off my shoulders so I could just play football," Hicks said. "I chose Michigan State earlier, so now I can just concentrate on football and the season."
Hicks also had offers from Boston, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Penn State, Purdue and West Virginia.
He did a really good job investigating all of his choices, Solon head coach Jim McQuaide said.
"This has been going on six months since he started getting offers in the beginning of the year," McQuaide said. "He's has a tremendous number of scholarship offers, and he went to Michigan State about three times with his parents and met with the academic people and drew a really good picture of what he would be getting there, and he made a really solid decision."
Hicks will be a third-year starter as a cornerback for the Comets this season. He also plays wide receiver on offense and returns kicks on special teams.
"The more you can eliminate distractions the better," McQuaide said. "When you're trying to decide a decision like that, a college decision, with coaches calling and emailing you and texting you, which would happen in the fall and winter of this year, I think that's a distraction that would help you if you could get it out of the way."
As a junior, Hicks scored six touchdowns for the Comets, including a 92-yarder in game one, an 84-yarder in game three and a 91-yarder in game four. Those three touchdowns were second-half opening kickoff returns.
Hicks also caught 25 passes for 275 yards last season, including a 38-yard touchdown reception against Mentor and a 14-yarder against Twinsburg.
During the Twinsburg game, Hicks led the Comets' come-from-behind overtime victory with seven receptions for 76 yards.
His sixth touchdown of last season was a fumble recovery in the end zone during the playoffs.
On defense, the 5-foot-10, 170-pounder had more than 40 tackles and two interceptions.
Hicks chose Michigan State because of its coaching staff, facilities and player bonds, he said.
"It's also pretty close to home, and my parents can come to the game and watch me play," he said. "It crossed my mind a couple of times to go to North Carolina and play there, so I can be with my brother AJ, but I was like, 'Nah, I don't want to do that.'"
AJ Hicks, a 2011 Solon High School graduate, was a state champion in the discus throw for the Comets and now competes in track and field for the Tar Heels at Chapel Hill.
The younger Hicks also competes in track and field and advanced to the state championships on the Comets' four-by-100-meter relay earlier this month.
If the opportunity arises to compete in track and field at the collegiate level, Hicks said he would not pass it up.
At Michigan State, Hicks will join 2012 Solon graduate Tres Barksdale, who will play football for the Spartans as a freshman this fall.
"It's inspiring knowing that he's going there," Hicks said of Barksdale. "I can just ask him how his first year was and what I can expect when I come down there."
On and off the field, Hicks is a good teammate, McQuaide said.
"He's a good guy to coach, very personable, always in a good mood. I think he really enjoys being around the school, the team and the program, and a lot of people gravitate towards him, because he has a great personality," McQuaide said. "He's true to our team and a leader of our whole group."
For his senior season, Hicks said he hopes the Comets can go 10-0.
"We want to be NOC Valley champs again," he said. "Then I'm hoping we can make it to the state championship and win it."
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