Faion Hicks Bio
Faion Hicks (born September 2, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback. He played college football at Wisconsin and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft. Standing 5 feet 10 inches tall and listed at 192 pounds, Hicks has spent his professional career moving between active rosters and practice squads across the NFL, along with a brief stint in the United Football League. As of 2025, he is working to extend his professional career through additional league opportunities.
Early Life and Background
Faion Hicks was born on September 2, 1997, in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He grew up in the same South Florida community where he later attended Charles W. Flanagan High School, a program that produced several college-level football recruits during his high school years. His early athletic development took place within the local youth and high school football scene in Broward County.
Coming out of high school, Hicks was rated as a three-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals.com. He drew scholarship offers from ten college programs, including Appalachian State, Iowa State, and Wisconsin. The volume and quality of those offers reflected his standing as a developing defensive back prospect with the size and athleticism to compete at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.
Path to American Football
Hicks committed to the University of Wisconsin late in 2016 and began his college career with the Badgers in 2017. The Wisconsin program, a traditional Big Ten Conference power known for its physical brand of football, gave him a structured environment to grow as a cornerback. He spent five seasons in Madison, developing within a defensive system that emphasized fundamentals and disciplined coverage.
During his time at Wisconsin, Hicks worked his way into the team’s secondary rotation and earned a reputation as a reliable coverage defender. His development through the Badgers’ program positioned him for the 2022 NFL draft, where he was ultimately chosen in the seventh round. That selection marked the formal transition from college prospect to professional football player.
Faion Hicks Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Hicks’s early career was defined by his time at the University of Wisconsin, where he played college football from 2017 through the 2021 season. He entered the program as a three-star recruit and progressed through the depth chart over his five years in Madison. His development within a competitive Big Ten defensive backfield helped prepare him for the professional level.
By the end of his senior season, Hicks had established himself as a draft-eligible cornerback with starting experience and the physical traits that professional teams look for in the secondary. His decision to declare for the 2022 NFL draft resulted in a seventh-round selection, capping a college career spent entirely within the Wisconsin program.
NFL Draft and Denver Broncos Era (2022–2023)
Faion Hicks was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round, 232nd overall, of the 2022 NFL draft. His initial opportunity with Denver was short, as he was waived on August 30, 2022, just before the regular season began. The Broncos quickly signed him to their practice squad the following day, allowing him to continue developing within the organization.
Hicks signed a reserve/future contract with Denver on January 9, 2023, securing his place with the team into the next league year. He remained with the Broncos through the 2023 offseason and preseason before being waived again on August 29, 2023. His time in Denver included work on both the active roster and practice squad as he adjusted to the professional level.
New Orleans Saints (2023–2024)
On September 13, 2023, Hicks signed with the New Orleans Saints practice squad shortly after his release from Denver. Joining the Saints gave him a fresh opportunity within a different NFC defensive scheme. He remained on the practice squad through the remainder of the 2023 regular season.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, the Saints signed Hicks to a reserve/future contract on January 8, 2024. That move tied him to New Orleans into the 2024 offseason. However, he was waived by the Saints on June 17, 2024, ending his second stint with the team.
Cleveland Browns (2024)
Hicks signed with the Cleveland Browns on August 4, 2024, joining the team during the heart of training camp. His time in Cleveland was brief, as the Browns waived him on August 26, 2024. The short stay limited his opportunities to compete for a roster spot at the league level.
Seattle Seahawks (2024)
On August 30, 2024, Hicks signed with the Seattle Seahawks practice squad, returning to a developmental role in the NFC West. The Seahawks kept him on the practice squad for a portion of the regular season, providing him with continuity in a professional setting. He was released by Seattle on November 26, 2024.
Birmingham Stallions Era (2025)
On March 15, 2025, Hicks signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League. The Stallions are one of the established franchises in the UFL, a spring football league that operates independently of the NFL. His signing reflected a continued effort to play professional football beyond the NFL calendar. He was released by the Stallions on May 20, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Faion Hicks’s most notable career milestone came when he was selected 232nd overall in the 2022 NFL draft by the Denver Broncos, validating his development at Wisconsin. He has recorded two total tackles in NFL regular-season action through the 2024 season. His path through five different NFL organizations and a UFL franchise underscores the journeyman reality for many late-round defensive backs.
Faion Hicks Family
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Faion Hicks’s family life and personal relationships are limited. He grew up in Pembroke Pines, Florida, the same community where he attended Charles W. Flanagan High School. Information regarding his parents, marital status, or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Faion Hicks’s 2025 campaign began outside the NFL when he signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League on March 15, 2025. Joining the UFL gave him a platform to continue playing professional football during the spring months. His release from the Stallions on May 20, 2025, opened the door for his next professional opportunity.
Across the 2025 league year, Hicks has continued to pursue roster opportunities following short stints with the Cleveland Browns and Seattle Seahawks in 2024. His experience on multiple NFL practice squads and a UFL roster demonstrates ongoing interest from professional teams at multiple levels. Future roster moves will likely determine whether his 2025 season extends beyond the spring UFL calendar.