Next up on the Orange-Man Orientation is #60, Sean Hickey. Miss a profile or 20? Get the whole run-down right here.
Position: Offensive Tackle
Year: Sophomore
Height: 6'6''
Weight: 276 pounds
Hometown: Murrysville, PA
High School: Franklin Regional HS
2010 Stats: Sean didn't appear in any games last season.
2011 Projections: Justin Pugh is penciled in as the starter at left tackle. But it's no secret to people close to HCDM that he loves him some Hickey, and who blames him? The kid has size and toughness--Murrysville is right outside of Pittsburgh and Hickey knows how to run block. But when it comes down to it, I agree with Dan's report: while Hickey is surely talented enough to start, he won't until 2012. An injury in Spring ball cut his reps, there are of the guys ahead of him that work better together, and that's that.
What'd Scouts/Rivals Say?: Scout.com had Hickey as a two-star kid. It's a little low if you ask me.
How'd He Get Here?: Because Hickey was a Steel City kind of kid, he hoped to suit up for the Pitt Panthers. They never came a-knockin'--the consensus was he was a guard. The decision came down to Illinois, Boston College , and us for his services as a tackle. Guess whose coaches Hickey liked better?
"I love the coaches there (Syracuse's coaches). The program's headed in the right direction and is also a place I can play early. I like what they're about."
For more on Hickey pulling a Chancy Nancy (ditching Illinois for a better shade of Orange, that is), check out this story on IlliniHQ.
Money Quote: "Now, you need to get everything right to beat that defensive lineman," said Hickey, about the difference between high school and college ball.
What Does Doug Marrone Think?: This is how you know Doug loves him some Hickey--he has something to say about him, and he was a freshman. Check this out from syracuse.com:
"He moves very well," Marrone said. "He’s very athletic for that position. What’s going to be the key for him is how well he progresses from a weightlifting standpoint in the off-season, getting bigger and stronger, because that’s what you need to really succeed. You have to have a certain amount of strength to play that position."
Links of Wonder: Good reporting by Nolan Weidner about the Hickey injury. It'll hold him back this Fall, but I'm betting not much else will after that.
Interesting Nugget O' Interest: HCDM thinks Sean is ahead of where incumbent left tackle Justin Pugh was when Pugh was a freshman. That's awesome news--they last thing we want is a poop left tackle situation.
Let Us Getta Good Look Atchya: Here's the syracuse.com video to accomp'ny that story. Enjoy getting the Driver's Villiage commercial jingle stuck in your head.