SAN FRANCISCO (Nov. 7, 2022) - Washington State safety Jaden Hicks was named the Pac-12 Conference Freshman Player of the Week, the conference office announced Monday.
 
In the 52-14 win at Stanford last Saturday, Hicks made six stops, recorded a quarterback hurry and recovered a fumble he returned 17 yards for a touchdown, WSU's first fumble return for a touchdown since Kainoa Wilson jumped on a fumble in the end zone in 2018. Hicks helped a Cougar defense recovered four fumbles, the most takeways since tallying five in last year's Apple Cup and the most fumble recoveries since recovering four against Northern Colorado in 2019.
 
Hicks enters the week second on the team and No. 12 in the conference with 58 tackles, most among all freshmen tacklers in the Pac-12. This is the second Pac-12 Freshman of the Week honor for WSU after running back Jaylen Jenkins earned the honor after rushing for 130 yards at No. 6 USC. Earlier this season, Hicks was named to the Midseason Freshman All-America Team by College Football News.
 
WSU had two players earn Pac-12 weekly honors following the win at No. 19 Wisconsin; kick returner Renard Bell earned special teams honors and left tackle Jarrett Kingston picked up offensive lineman of the week. Linebacker Daiyan Henley was named Defensive Player of the Week following the win over Colorado State.