Mylan Hicks: Earn the Jersey

Oct. 2, 2014

By Matt Bontorin, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant

In big bold letters outside the Michigan State outdoor football practice facility is a sign that reads, "Earn the Jersey." No one lives by this statement more than fifth-year senior linebacker Mylan Hicks.

For Hicks, nothing has ever been handed to him. Hicks grew up on the west side of Detroit, and attended Renaissance High School, where he played alongside former Spartan linebacker Chris Norman.

From a young age Hicks had a dream to make it to the NFL so he could provide a better life for his family.

"The dream of playing in the NFL has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy," said Hicks, who has already graduated from Michigan State with a bachelor's degree in psychology. "I want to provide better things for my mom. She's always been there for me and I want to give her the life she deserves."

Hicks worked his way up to becoming one of the top high school cornerbacks in the country. By the time his senior year rolled around, he was ranked as high as 10th by Rivals. The Michigan State coaching staff took notice and put high emphasis on getting the Detroiter to East Lansing.

During the recruiting process Hicks took visits to multiple schools, but none fit his personality like Michigan State did. While other schools approached Hicks with promises of future NFL glory, Michigan State made Hicks one promise. That promise was that nothing will ever be given to him. While that promise may have scared away some other recruits, it resonated with Hicks. From his humble beginnings, Hicks knew that he was where he was through hard work.

"During the whole recruiting process, they [Michigan State] kept it honest with me," said Hicks. "A lot of coaches will tell you stuff just to get you on their team. The reason why I liked Michigan State was because they told me the truth, and the truth was wherever I went I would have to work to reach my goals."

Hicks arrived in East Lansing in 2010, ready to make an impact, but what no one expected was the amount of talent coming in with him. The class of 2010 brought in the likes of Darqueze Dennard, Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond, all of which went on to become All-Big Ten players in the Spartan secondary.

The amount of competition at that position made it tough for him to make moves on the depth chart. Hicks struggled early to find his way onto the field, redshirting his first year, and playing in only one game in 2011 after missing a majority of the season due to injury.

Despite his high character and self-motivation, Hicks began to become frustrated with his inability to crack the lineup.

In 2012, head coach Mark Dantonio and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi approached him about a possible move to safety. Hicks embraced the suggestion, seeing it as a compliment that the coaching staff still had faith in him that he could be a regular contributor.

That season, Hicks appeared in eight games, making tackles against Big Ten foes Indiana, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Northwestern to earn his first letter.

Hicks continued his progression in 2013 by playing in all 14 games, primarily on special teams, including the Big Ten Championship Game and the Rose Bowl.

Despite his satisfaction with the team's overall success, Hicks knew his minor role as the team's backup safety would not suffice if he wanted to get to the next level, and fulfill his dreams of making it to the NFL.

Hicks met with the coaching staff in the summer about taking on a more prominent role for 2014. The coaching staff had the same plan in mind and gave him a chance to prove himself as the team's "Star" or hybrid linebacker.

"I knew moving positions was my best chance to get on the field, so that's what kept me hungry. I knew one day I would get my chance."

-Mylan Hicks

Hicks once again took the challenge head on, knowing full well that as a fifth-year senior this would be his last chance to prove himself as a legitimate NFL prospect. He spent countless hours in the gym during the summer, working closely with strength and conditioning coach Ken Mannie. When camp rolled around Hicks was in the best shape of his life and had one of the best individual camps on the team, proving to the coaching staff that he was ready for the challenge of being one of the team's starting linebackers.

When the depth chart for week one was released a week before the home opener against Jacksonville State, it listed Hicks as one of the possible starters at "Star" linebacker.

"As the years went on, my dream of playing in the NFL kept me motivated," said Hicks. "I knew moving positions was my best chance to get on the field, so that's what kept me hungry. I knew one day I would get my chance."

By getting the nod as a co-starter this season (along with Darien Harris) for one of the best defenses in America, Hicks' dream of playing in the NFL is more reachable than it ever has been.

Hicks reflected on the role his parents played in keeping him motivated.

"I had plenty of late night talks with my mom and my dad," said Hicks. "They kept me grounded when I was a little shaken up. I talked to my mom almost every night. She gave me so much motivation to keep pushing when I wasn't playing as much. She always told me that my time was coming; I guess she was right."

In his first appearance at linebacker, Hicks made three tackles, helping his team to a 45-7 win over Jacksonville State. He made his first career start the next week at No. 3 Oregon.

With his NFL dreams in front of him, Hicks expressed another goal that he plans on achieving before leaving East Lansing.

"The National Championship is still our team goal," said Hicks. "We're just going to try and go 1-0 every week, and let the rest play itself out. We lost early last year and we went on to do big things, so we know we have the capability to do it again."

This feature was originally published in the Sept. 27 edition of Michigan State Football Gameday Magazine.