9/15/2016 football Edit

Florida cornerback setting up an official visit to Wisconsin

Jon McNamara • BadgerBlitz

Editor

Jon McNamara is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has covered UW athletics since 2002 and has worked at Rivals.com since 2006.

Still looking for at least one more cornerback in the 2017 recruiting class, the Wisconsin coaching staff is close to setting up an official visit with a three-star prospect from Florida.

Faion Hicks, a 5-foot-10, 184-pound senior from Flanagan High School, has been in recent contact with defensive backs coach Jim Leonhard.

"I spoke with the DBs coach yesterday (Wednesday) and I'm setting up an official for either Oct. 15 against Ohio State or the 29th against Nebraska," Hicks told BadgerBlitz.com. "Coach says he loves my tape and feels that I can fit right into their system. And me being a mid-year guy is a big impact."

The Badgers have yet to offer, though Hicks believes a scholarship will be on the way should he make it to campus next month.

"Coach Leonhard wants to offer me, they just want to make sure on my official the shoulder I had surgery on is 100 percent," Hicks said. "After that, everything is full go.

"With out a doubt I feel 100 percent. I've been playing with no limitations, no shoulder brace, no nothing. I'm all good."

Appalachian State will receive Hicks' first official visit this weekend, with trips to Northern Illinois and Iowa State on the horizon but not yet penciled into his schedule. Maryland is showing recent interest in Hicks, who also lists offers from Illinois, Cincinnati, South Florida and Toledo, among others.

"I won't have a leaer until I take all my officials and that'll be before I sign in December," Hicks said. "Once everything is cleared up, Wisconsin is going to be one of my top schools. I know some things about Wisconsin but look towards learning more from coach Leonhard during the visit."

The Badgers have a commitment from Madison Cone in the current cycle and are awaiting word on Ke'Shan Pennamon's academic standing this fall. The three-star prospect signed with UW in the 2016 class but enrolled at Palmetto Prep Academy in South Carolina in hopes of arriving in Madison next spring.

"They didn't tell me how many more cornerbacks they are taking in this class but did say they are going to need some help in the secondary after this year," Hicks said. "So I won't be surprised if they bring in like two or three."