Jacksonville LB has a top five
Jacksonville (Fla.) Forrest linebacker Brandon Hicks is one of the fastest-rising prospects in the Sunshine State for the Class of 2007. He boasts multiple offers, including ones from Florida, Florida State and Miami (Fla.) and has a top five.
"Recruiting is going pretty good right now," Hicks said. "I've got a lot of offers. My top five is Florida, Miami (Fla.), LSU, Florida State and Clemson."
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The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder likes the defensive schemes the Gators run.
"I like the game plan at Florida," he said. "I like how they run their defense and I like how they go after the ball."
Scheme also plays a factor in the Hurricanes being high on Hicks' list.
"I like the fact that Miami blitzes a lot," he said.
Defensive line coach Clint Hurtt is recruiting Hicks for the Hurricanes.
He likes LSU for more of the same reasons.
"It's pretty much like Florida," he said. "I like the game plan. I like all of the defenses they have. I like the different ways they get after it."
Doug Mallory is the recruiter-of-record for LSU.
The work ethic and the linebacker tradition in the Seminoles program has Florida State held in high regard.
"They always have good linebackers and they work hard (at FSU)," he said.
Seminoles offensive line coach Mark McHale is Hicks' Florida State recruiter.
Clemson has a different plan for Hicks.
"It's more of a different feel (with Clemson)," Hicks said. "They want me to play defensive back."
Rivals.com 2005 ACC Recruiter of the Year Dabo Swinney is recruiting Hicks for Clemson.
Hicks will weigh several factors while making his decision.
"I'm looking for the best coaching staff and I want to play right away," Hicks said. "Those are my two priorities."
Don't expect a quick decision from Hicks, however. He's going to examine each school closely.
"I've already been to Florida and I plan on seeing all of the campuses," Hicks said. "I am waiting until Signing Day to make my final decision."
This summer, Hicks will get the chance to take a look at several of his top schools.
"I'm going to Miami (Fla.) on June 19," he said. "I'm going to Florida and Florida State camps as well and I am going to visit LSU in the fall. I will visit Clemson, too."
Hicks, who is expected to debut inside the inaugural Rivals250 when it is released next Monday, finished with 88 tackles and 12 sacks in 2005.