Editor's note: This feature will appear in the digital game program for Friday's contest with Middle Tennessee.
UTSA junior linebacker Clarence Hicks is a key member of the Roadrunners defensive unit that has held opponents to just 91 rushing yards per game in the first two outings of 2020. Clarence visited with Dominque Ramos from the UTSA Communications office for the latest Roadrunners Q&A!
Your hometown is Pensacola Fla. What was it like making an adjustment to come to Texas?
Clarence Hicks: Right before coming to Texas I went to a JUCO in Kansas. I always told myself I wanted to come to Texas and this perfect opportunity came up. I love Texas now.
What is your major and what plans do you have after graduation?
CH: I am a multidisciplinary studies major. I hope to make it to the next level, but I am grateful to receive a degree from UTSA.
Have you ever taken online classes? How has transitioning to online learning affected you?
CH: I took a lot of classes online while at the JUCO in Kansas and over the summer, so I have been prepared for online learning. I have been able to easily adapt to online learning at UTSA.
What do you do to stay on top of your studies so you can make it out on the field every week?
CH: I like to be active in the class. It's hard to be as active while online, but it's important to be active in every class meeting. Especially with online classes, you need to log into the class. It can be hard at times because you are in the comfort of your home but just simply logging into the class and being active can give you a better chance of being very successful in the course.
What have you learned over the past few months during the pandemic, whether that be physically, mentally or academically?
CH: Learning how disciplined I can be. You can be out for two weeks if you were to contract COVID-19. With me, I don't like to take chances when it comes to playing football. I isolate myself and have been able to find out new things about myself. Find ways to stay positive during this time, because you have to think about all the positives in your life. I have been reading more and learning different ways on how to stay positive.
Why UTSA? What did UTSA have that made you make the decision to move so far from home?
CH: I am the type of person who wants to come into a program to make a change. I want to be around change and right now this is exactly what I expected it to be.
We know it means a lot for a player to be awarded a single-digit jersey number, what did it mean to you to be voted to wear No. 9 by your teammates?
CH: It meant a lot to me. Every day I go out on the field and try to not only make myself better but make the team better. I go out every day and give the best I can for the team. I am the type of person that everyone knows I'm going to go out and talk a lot and give it everything I have. When they voted me in, they knew I would give my all every day to make the team better while also making myself better.
You are one of our best pass rushers on defense. What did you do over the summer or really at any time to prepare yourself to be so successful in this role?
CH: Being able to play multiple positions, I work every day to be better at one thing. Every day I try to get better on at least one thing that day. I don't push a lot at one time, so I can really focus and be the best at every aspect of the game.
What was it like to be back in the Alamodome this past weekend with fans cheering you on and to get Coach Traylor's first win as a head coach?
CH: It was amazing to get this win for Coach Traylor. Just the coach he is; I love playing for him and winning for him. He is one of the best coaches I have ever had. He is very realistic. He is a players' coach, which doesn't mean we can do whatever we want, but he listens to us and we are able to have great communication with him and the rest of the coaching staff. In some programs, players are afraid to talk to their head coach but there is no reason to be scared to talk to Coach Traylor. We know he always has our back. Every week I love playing for my coaches and teammates and I cannot stress enough how much I love winning for the coaches and with my teammates. It is an amazing program to be a part of.
This being your senior year, what are some individual goals you hope to accomplish this season?
CH: To hold a sack record or any record. I want to leave an impact on this school and program. I want to go out being one of the best to ever play at UTSA and I know I can be, so I just need to go out and work.
Looking back on last season and the beginning of this season, what advice would you give future UTSA football players to be successful?
CH: Always trust the process. We say this every week. I would go back and tell myself that. In the beginning, I didn't trust it as much and now I know it works and I know this is a great team. You have to trust the process and work hard every week and don't complain. I can't say it enough. You have to trust the process of this program.
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