Frisco, TX – The Dallas Cowboys are wasting no time in their quest to bolster their defense, meeting with Abilene Christian running back Sam Hicks—a versatile All-American prospect dubbed a “hidden gem”—on March 22, 2025, as part of their pre-draft evaluations. The visit, first reported by Sports Illustrated, signals Dallas’s intent to find a dynamic complement to superstar linebacker Micah Parsons ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Hicks, who earned All-American honors this past season at the FCS level, isn’t your typical running back. At 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds, he’s a multi-dimensional athlete who racked up over 2,000 all-purpose yards in 2024, leading both FCS and FBS in that category. His stat line—1,326 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 42 receptions for 512 yards—showcases a rare blend of power, speed, and pass-catching ability. “I’m a hidden gem,” Hicks told NFL Draft Diamonds earlier this year. “I truly believe I’m one of the top all-purpose backs in this class, even though I’m not a big-name guy.”

The Cowboys’ interest in Hicks stems from their ongoing pursuit of versatility—a trait Parsons himself has championed. Since being drafted 12th overall in 2021, Parsons has redefined defensive flexibility, amassing 52.5 sacks through his first four seasons while toggling between linebacker and edge rusher. Pairing him with a Swiss Army knife like Hicks could give defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer new wrinkles to exploit. Though listed as a running back, Hicks’s standout performances at the Tropical Bowl and College Gridiron Showcase—where he reportedly clocked a 4.48 40-yard dash—have scouts buzzing about his potential as a hybrid weapon, possibly even shifting to a defensive role or special teams ace in the NFL.

Dallas’s Pro Day visit to Abilene Christian wasn’t just a courtesy call. Sources indicate the Cowboys met with Hicks post-workout, grilling him on his adaptability and football IQ. With DeMarcus Lawrence hitting free agency and Sam Williams recovering from a torn ACL, the team faces depth questions along the defensive front. Hicks, projected as a Day 3 pick (Rounds 4-7), could be a cost-effective gamble to inject youth and explosiveness alongside Parsons, who’s openly campaigned for edge-rushing help like Penn State’s Abdul Carter but might welcome a sleeper like Hicks.

Fan reaction on X has been electric. “Hicks with Parsons? That’s a chaos combo I’d pay to see,” one user posted, while another mused, “Cowboys finding gems in the rough again—Jerry’s cooking something.” Critics, however, question whether Hicks’s small-school pedigree translates to the NFL, pointing to his lighter 215-pound frame against pro linemen.

For now, the Cowboys hold the No. 11 pick in the draft order, but their history of trading—evidenced by the Parsons pick—suggests they could maneuver to snag Hicks later while addressing other needs early. As the draft nears, this meeting hints at Dallas’s strategy: double down on defensive playmakers to keep their NFC East hopes alive. Whether Hicks becomes Parsons’s next partner-in-crime remains to be seen, but the buzz around this “hidden gem” is only growing louder.