Two Texas A&M signees set to play in 2023 Polynesian Bowl

The 2023 Polynesian Bowl kicks off in Honolulu, Hawaii at 8 P.M CT Friday night. And among the elite of the elite prospects going at it on January 20 are Texas A&M signees, Five-Star Plus+ defensive lineman David Hicks Jr. and elite four-star cornerback Bravion Rogers.

The future Aggies will be taking on some of the best high school prospects in the nation.

Per the game’s website, the Polynesian Bowl is “where the world’s top high school football players gather to celebrate culture and play the game they love.” The game is held annually during Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

Both Hicks and Rogers officially put pen to paper and inked with Texas A&M on Friday, December 21. Hicks’ signing marked the second year in a row that the Aggies signed the No. 1 defensive lineman in the nation. 

The 6-foot-4, 270-pound Hicks is the No. 9 overall prospect and No. 1 defensive lineman in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 1 player in Texas. 

Hicks currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $360K. The On3 NIL Valuation is an index that looks to set the standard market value for both high school and college-level athletes. The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

The 5-foot-11.5, 180-pound Hicks is the No. 66 overall prospect and No. 5 cornerback in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus. He has a On3 NIL Valuation of $151K.

Hicks’ On3 Scouting Summary

Physically-developed defensive lineman with advanced power along with length and quickness. Possesses a big frame with a muscled build and an 80-inch wingspan at 6-foot-4. Has brute strength which he pairs with initial quickness to create steady disruption along the line of scrimmage. Consistently shows quick and powerful hands at the point of attack with some advanced pass rush technique for a young defensive lineman. Very much a power player at this point in his development, but plays with some nuance and technical skill. Working at both defensive end and defensive tackle as a junior at a powerhouse program in Texas’ highest classification. A strong, but not elite athlete. Turned in dominant showings at college camps prior to his junior season.

Rogers’ On3 Scouting Summary

Developmental corner prospect with tremendous athletic ability that can run with almost any player in the state of Texas. Two-way player for La Grange at corner and wide receiver. Doubles as a top athlete in track and field. Posted a 6’07” high jump as well as a 21’06” long jump in 2022 and ran 10.67 in the 100m in 2021. Has the long speed and hip fluidity to stay in phase as well as the ball skills to win at the catch point. Lacks ideal height and length. Needs to clean up his footwork and hand placement in press, but is easily fixable with collegiate coaching. High upside prospect due to his lack of development in positional traits along with his high level movement skills. Older for the class, turning 18 years old as a junior.