Four-star safety Zelus Hicks announces commitment to Texas.
Zelus Hicks initially thought about extending his recruitment into the fall, but the four-star junior safety from Carrollton, Georgia, felt a strong draw to Texas.
More specifically, the University of Texas.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pound prospect from the Peach State announced his commitment to the Longhorns on Thursday, Sept. 12. Here’s what you need to know.
WHAT ZELUS HICKS SAYS ABOUT TEXAS
Hicks had the chance to work out for the Texas staff in April and received an offer soon after.
“What I appreciated most about the experience was getting to see firsthand how coach (Blake Gideon) coaches the safeties,” Hicks told Horns247 at the time. “Coach Gideon is very hands-on, and I really liked that. I feel like I performed well. He told me he really likes me, both as a player and as a person. He emphasized my strong character and family foundation, which were the main points he focused on.”
“I like how the DBs are produced out here. Time after time, they have the top DBs in the nation come out of here.”
Hicks’ family also played a role in his decision to choose Texas.
“For one, my family really likes Texas,” Hicks told Horns247. “They want to move out here once I get to college, regardless of where I go. … They like the city.
Also my aunt, she’s the (former Dallas County District Attorney). She runs a lot of Texas. Her name is Faith Johnson.”
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX?
Hicks never released a formal list of favorites, but in interviews with 247Sports over the summer and leading up to his commitment, he frequently mentioned Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Texas as the primary contenders.
Auburn had been viewed as the frontrunner by the industry for most of the summer.
But Texas, which hosted him in April and again in June, emerged early in the 2024 football season to land Hicks’ commitment, edging out an impressive group of suitors spanning the country.
WHERE ZELUS HICKS RANKS AS A RECRUIT
247Sports tabs Hicks with a four-star grade of 90.
He’s ranked as the No. 8 safety and No. 79 overall prospect in the class.
Per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, Hicks is the No. 3 safety and No. 25 overall prospect.
HOW ZELUS HICKS FITS WITH TEXAS
Should Hicks remain a member of the 2026 class, he’d become Texas’s first safety (and first defensive commitment) in the class. (Hicks is considering re-classifying to the 2025 class, however, and per contacts that’s something Texas would welcome. But it’s not a definite at this stage in the process.)
Texas’s Class of 2026 ranks No. nationally despite having just three pledges. The Longhorns also have 2026 commitments from four-star quarterback Dia Bell of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage and three-star wide receiver Chris Stewart of Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek.
In 2025, Texas holds the No. 6 recruiting class, with five-star Jonah Williams from Galveston (Texas) Ball being the top-ranked and sole safety commitment in the group.
ANALYSIS OF ZELUS HICKS
247Sports national analyst Hudson Standish views Zelus Hicks as a “modern boundary safety” known for his ability to react quickly and play with physicality, whether stopping the run or defending short passes. Hicks is praised for his football instincts, athleticism, and toughness.
In a detailed scouting report, Standish highlights Hicks’ verified measurements at 6-foot-2, 186 pounds with a strong wingspan and impressive combine testing data from February 2024. As a sophomore at Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview in Georgia’s AAAAAAA classification, Hicks showed high football IQ, decisive play, and excellent tackling skills. Now at Carrollton, a powerhouse in Georgia, he’s expected to continue improving.
Hicks excels as a tackler, whether bringing down slot receivers or larger targets like tight ends. He also adds value as a blitzer. While he’s still refining his man-to-man coverage and can occasionally lose track in deep coverage, Hicks is seen as a high-upside defensive back. He currently projects as a boundary safety but may develop into a bigger-bodied nickel defender, with potential for a multi-year starting role and NFL Draft consideration.
