NFL 2022: One undrafted free agent from every team that could make the roster
By Randy Gurzi
Cincinnati Bengals: Clarence Hicks, LB, UTSA
When it comes to making it as a professional, Clarence Hicks has a few things playing against him. One is the fact that he’s listed as a linebacker but plays more like a defensive end.
The UTSA product had 108 tackles in three seasons with 31.5 tackles for a loss. He also had 12.5 sacks, with 10.5 of them coming during his redshirt senior season in 2021.
While he was great at getting after the passer in his final season, Hicks is listed at just 6-foot-2 and 225-pounds, which makes him a “tweener” at the next level. Even so, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network says he can make plays at the next level, calling him a “nasty linebacker.”
"“Nasty linebacker who is fast making plays up the field. Breaks down well, fires between gaps to penetrate the line of scrimmage, and disrupts the action. Fluid moving in every direction, nicely redirects to ball handlers, and quickly closes to the play. Bends off the edge when used as a pass rusher and shows good change-of-direction skills. Plays faster than his 40 time.” — Pauline, Pro Football Network"
With the Bengals, Hicks will have a long way to go in order to make the 53-man roster, but the edge he plays with could be enough to convince the coaching staff to keep him — even if it’s simply as a special teams ace in 2022 that works towards a situational pass-rushing role in the future.