Bonesville: The Authoritative Independent Voice of East Carolina

News & Features from ECU, the AAC and Beyond

  • Home
  • News & Features
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Audio
  • Roundup
  • Comments
  • Legacy Archives

• ECU 2021-22 Hoops Schedule
• ECU 2022 Baseball Schedule
• ECU 2022 Football Schedule
• Recruiting: Football • Hoops

Football Recruiting
Butler High’s Hickman honed by competition

September 28, 2017 By Sammy Batten Leave a Comment

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin
Damel Hickman (Image source: 247sports.com)

There is a common belief in sports that the quickest way to improve is to compete against the very best.

If that’s the case, then Damel Hickman may be one of the most talented prospects in East Carolina’s football recruiting Class of 2018.

Hickman has been a secondary starter at state 4-A powerhouse Butler High in Matthews since his sophomore season and has helped the Bulldogs to a 25-6 overall record, including 3-1 this year. During that time the 6-foot, 180-pounder has found himself matched against some of North Carolina’s best receivers.

As a sophomore, Hickman took the field against Kansas State signee and current Appalachian State receiver Corey Sutton (Mallard Creek) and current UNC defensive back Myles Doren, who was also a standout pass catcher at Vance High.

A year ago, Hickman went head-to-head with Oklahoma recruit Ryan Jones (Mallard Creek) and future ECU teammate Blake Proehl (Providence), along with Duke commit Jarrett Gardner (Hickory Ridge). Hickman will get to see Gardner again this season when Butler meets Hickory Ridge next month.

“That’s Charlotte football,” Hickman said, describing the level of talent he’s faced. “Every Friday you’re going up against D-I talent.”

Hickman considers the matchup against the 6-1, 219-pound Jones, who many analysts consider the state’s best senior talent in 2016, one of his career highlights. Jones’ Mallard Creek squad had eliminated Butler from the state 4-A playoffs three straight years before their rematch last November.

Jones was the target for a pass by Mallard Creek quarterback Chauncey Caldwell in the third quarter with the score tied at 21. But Hickman managed to step in front to make an interception at the Butler 30-yard line. The Bulldogs scored the go-ahead touchdown following Hickman’s pick and rolled to a 42-28 victory.

“That interception was a game changer,” Hickman said. “Ryan Jones is a big-time athlete, so getting that pick against him was something I’ll always remember.”

Hickman hasn’t just honed his defensive back talents by playing against some of the state’s premier receivers. He was also tutored by a pair of skilled secondary players in step brother Jacobe Clement and former Butler star Clifton Duck.

Clement was a starting cornerback for two seasons at South Mecklenburg High in Charlotte before transferring to Mallard Creek for his senior year in 2016. Clement made a verbal commitment to play for N.C. State in June ’16, but backed off that pledge in September. He wound up signing with NCAA Division II Fayetteville State and is seeing significant action with the Broncos as a true freshman this season.

Duck was a four-year starter at Butler, and was a junior when Hickman made his debut with the Bulldogs junior varsity team as a freshman. He’s now a sophomore starter at Appalachian State, where he earned Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2016.

“Those guys showed me the way,” Hickman said. “Jacobe and I worked out together all the time. He helped me with my work ethic. Clifton, he was my role model. Ever since I was a freshman I looked at him as a big brother. They showed me how to get to the next level.”

It was because of his step brother Jacobe that Hickman was already familiar with the East Carolina football program when he decided to attend a prospect camp hosted by Wingate University in Charlotte last June. ECU defensive backs coach Brandon Lynch helped out at the camp and put Hickman through a variety of drills that day. Hickman impressed Lynch in many ways, including a 4.4-second timing in the 40-yard dash.

When the day came to an end, Lynch extended a scholarship offer to Hickman, who accepted on the spot (June 18).

“My step brother Jacobe had an offer from them, so I had been on campus a lot at ECU,” Hickman said. “I love the campus and the coaches are great. I knew it was a good place for me.”

The Pirates were the first team to offer Hickman a scholarship, although Appalachian State, Duke, N.C. Central and Western Carolina were showing interest.

Hickman says the Pirates are getting a cornerback who excels at one-on-one coverage.

“My strength is my man coverage,” Hickman said. “I can play zone, too, but I like going one-on-one with receivers. I try not to let a lot of passes get caught on me.”

Butler is using Hickman in a dual capacity this season by playing him on offense at wide receiver. He contributed at both positions in a 26-25 victory against Providence on September 15. Hickman caught a 50-yard touchdown pass and produced an interception in the Bulldogs’ second win of the season.

A week later in a 16-0 shutout of Rocky River, Hickman added another interception.

Hickman is the second cornerback prospect from the Charlotte area to make a verbal commitment to ECU. He joins Austin Richardson, who plays at Butler’s Southwestern 4-A Conference rival Porter Ridge, in the Class of 2018.

Recruiting Class of 2018 Thumbnails…

Recruiting Class of 2017 Thumbnails…

ECU 2017 Football Schedule

Related

Tweet
Share
Share
Pin

Filed Under: FB Recruiting Class of 2018, Football Recruiting, News & Features, Recruiting

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News & Features

Baseball News
Pirates clinch AAC crown

Baseball News
ECU captures series, boosts conference lead

Baseball News
Pirates take series opener with Bulls

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates prevail at less than best

Baseball News
Pirates top Duke, 5-4

Baseball News
Pirates sweep series with 15-1 route

Baseball News
Pirates take series, boost league lead

Baseball News
ECU takes epic duel in 13 innings

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Resilient Pirates surge to first in AAC

More News & Features

ECU Schedules

  • ECU 2021 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2020-21 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2021 Baseball Schedule

ECU Recruiting

  • Football Recruiting Class of 2021
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2020
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2019
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2018
  • Football Recruiting Class of 2017
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2021-22
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2020-21
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2019-20
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2018-19
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2017-18
  • Hoops Recruiting Class of 2016-17
Tweets by bonesville

Past Football Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2014 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2013 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2012 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2011 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2010 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2009 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2008 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2007 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2006 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2005 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2004 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2003 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2002 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2001 Football Schedule
  • ECU 2000 Football Schedule
  • Historical Schedules

Past Basketball Schedules

  • ECU 2019-20 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2018-19 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2017-18 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2016-17 Basketball Schedule
  • ECU 2000-2015 Basketball Archives

Past Baseball Schedules

  • ECU 2020 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2019 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2018 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2017 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2016 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2015 Baseball Schedule
  • ECU 2001-2014 Baseball Archives

Recruiting Class Profiles

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates aim high for interior line talent

ECU Recruiting News
Well stocked Pirates enter fray for O-linemen

ECU Recruiting News
ECU faces uphill battle in hunt for tight ends

ECU Recruiting News
Pirates cast wide net for wide receivers

ECU Recruiting News
Loaded Pirates still courting running backs

ECU Recruiting News
ECU targets quarterbacks of the future

AAC Football Recruiting News
Transfer portal reshaping AAC football programs

Class of 2022 Defensive Report Card
ECU’s former weak link becoming big strength (updated)

Class of 2022 Offensive Report Card
Help is on the way for blocking corps (update 3)

American Athletic Conference Recruiting
Bearcats lead AAC’s early signing push

Class of 2022 In-depth Analysis
Surprises, depth highlight early recruiting haul

VIEW FROM THE EAST
‘What a difference a year makes’

Football Recruiting Report
Prolific receiver Webb may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Another gifted running back headed to ECU

Football Recruiting Report
ECU wins pledge from hotly recruited RB Gunn

Football Recruiting Report
Coveted lineman Sacra may enroll early

Football Recruiting Report
Pirates lure a star from DB factory

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Harrell on quest for unanimous effort

Football Recruiting Report
West Craven star Mims sticking close to home

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates ready for preseason camp

Football Recruiting Report
Lineman built his future during COVID layoff

Football Recruiting Report
Norcross star on track for early enrollment

VIEW FROM THE EAST
Pirates pulling from portal

Football Recruiting Report
Big man Allen tapping into ‘nasty side’

Football Recruiting Report
ECU gets one of NC’s top D-line prospects

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday May 14, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, May 13, 2022

Writer Archives

  • Bonesville Staff
  • Brian Bailey
  • Sammy Batten
  • Bethany Bradsher
  • Brett Friedlander
  • Al Myatt
  • NFF
  • Greg Vacek
  • Danny Whitford

Recent Web Roundups

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 15, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday May 14, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Friday, May 13, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Wednesday, May 11, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Monday, May 9, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Sunday, May 8, 2022

GREG VACEK'S WEB ROUNDUP
Saturday, May 7, 2022

More Web Roundups

Copyright © 2022 Bonesville.net · Website by Seaport Webworks. · Log in · Privacy Policy