As a true freshman at Liberty in 2015, Hickson redshirted and saw no playing time.[3][6] In 2016, he played primarily as a return specialist, returning kickoffs for a total of 707 yards, the second-best single-season total in school history.[7] He was named second-team All-Big South Conference for his performance and earned the honor again in 2017 for his special teams contributions.[7]
Hickson moved up Liberty's depth chart at running back in 2018, totaling 1,032 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season.[2][8] As a senior, he was named honorable mention independent all-conference as he compiled 1,041 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.[7][9] Hickson finished his stint at the school with 610 carries for 2,898 yards and 30 scores while playing 47 games, additionally breaking the all-time program record for all-purpose yards with 4,494.[2]
Professional career
Hickson went unselected in the 2020 NFL draft and remained unsigned through the 2021 season.[10] His father was able to get the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) to have him tryout in 2022.[2] Hickson was signed, made the final roster, and became the Roughriders' second-string running back behind Jamal Morrow.[2][7] In Saskatchewan's week five victory over the Ottawa Redblacks, he ran five times for 92 yards and scored a 63-yard touchdown.[11] After being a backup for most of the season, Hickson was thrust into a starting role after an injury to Morrow in August and tallied 129 rushing yards in his first start, against the BC Lions.[12] He finished the season with 13 games played, four as a starter, and 85 carries for 533 yards with one score, additionally posting 17 receptions for 109 yards.[6]
