Getting to know USF nose tackle Immanuel Hickman might seem challenging. He does the dirty work. He's usually at the bottom of a pile and he rarely has flashy statistics. A pair of binoculars and a working knowledge of football's nuances can help, but they'll only tell part of the story.
Hickman — call him "Manny'' — has become one of the brightest lights for Coach Alex Golesh's Bulls (4-5, 2-3 AAC) as they prepare for Saturday afternoon's game against the Temple Owls (3-6, 1-4 AAC) at Raymond James Stadium.
Hickman, 23, was a two-year starter at defensive end for the East Carolina Pirates before entering the transfer portal and seeking a new opportunity at USF.
He switched to an interior position, where the Bulls needed him most, and gained about 50 pounds to transform into a 6-foot-3, 296-pound fireplug.
He plans on becoming a pastor, following in the dynamic shoes of his parents, Derwin and Franswalla, who are co-pastors of Divine World Changers International Ministries in Richmond, Va.
He can't wait to become a parent for the first time. He will be there for the birth of his son — Immanuel Ja'Morgan Hickman Jr. — in Greenville, N.C., while working a co-parenting arrangement with the baby's mother.
He's a live wire, a potential sports broadcaster who's endlessly curious about all subjects, a percolating personality who dresses sharp, never meets a stranger and has a gigantic heart. In high school, he struck up a friendship with an intellectually disabled student. They hung out constantly. When Hickman signed with ECU, that friend was by his side, part of the photographs, the interviews and the entire process.
"I like to say he has the 'Hickman gene,' '' Hickman's father said with a laugh. "Like me, he has that natural charisma, which comes out for me when I'm addressing the congregation. I have been known to talk, to be persuasive, to be emotional, not too quiet. That's him, too.
"Like his mother, he has the light. When he steps into a room, people naturally gravitate toward him. Young people seek him out for advice and encouragement. He has grown into that. He doesn't take that lightly. He wants to be a good influence. So, I am proud of the man he has become. I believe he's going to make a mark.''
It didn't take long for USF defensive coordinator Todd Orlando to realize that Hickman was special.
"It's like talking to a 40-year-old man,'' Orlando said. "He gets it. He has the savvy and common sense of a professional, not a kid. Whatever limitations he has athletically, he gets around them by outsmarting people.
"You can tell he sat in those pews (of church). He has a presence about him. He knows when to get after somebody. Vice versa, when everybody else is piling on, he can pull somebody aside and inspire them. He's like a grown-up, a coach who knows how to read the room. I don't know what the stats say, but he has been a great addition for us, not only for his play, but his influence in the locker room. It seems obvious that he's going to make a big impact with his life.''
The church influence is equally obvious. Besides his parents, his maternal grandmother and two great-aunts were also pastors.
"I think I came around to it all on my own,'' said Hickman, who earned a communications degree at ECU. "I love God. I went to church. I wasn't forced to go to church as a teenager because my parents told me the success of my life would be based on my decisions.
"I had great influences, of course, but I decided that it was better to do right because if you do wrong, you could lose everything. Once I realized that my worst day with God would surpass any other day I had without Him, it was an easy decision. My dad always said the only person who could stop me was me. So, if I make the right decisions and live a good life, I believe things will work out well. I am truly blessed.''
Hickman said the move to nose tackle has taught him "humility.''
"I've learned to be content doing my job and understanding that I'm the rock of everything and everybody else can do their job more effectively,'' said Hickman, who usually shares time with Doug Blue-Eli, a transfer from TCU. "That's why I was brought here.
"On my visit to USF, Coach KP (Kevin Patrick) sat down with me and my dad and said, 'We need a run-stopper. We need a guy who won't get knocked off the ball and who can set a firm wall in the trenches? Do you think you can do it?' I said, 'Heck, yeah!' My favorite part of ball is always being backed up and having the physical stuff take over. Who wins that battle? Sign me up for that. It's like fighting the good fight. It's physically brutal, but I love it.''
Hickman always seeks out the blockers he opposes. He might not know the name. He definitely knows the face.
"It's something unique to football,'' Hickman said. "You battle all day. Then you find the guy and say, 'God bless you, man. Keep striving.' Just thinking about that moment fires me up.''
Hickman said part of his ministry is establishing strong relationships through football. In his younger days, Hickman said he believed he created influence through physical play or loud locker-room tirades. Now he knows it's much different.
"If I pull somebody aside — and they know I care enough to show that level of respect — it's very impactful,'' Hickman said. "I want to be transparent and honest. Football is a very honest game. I think the lessons I've learned on the field are probably bigger than the lessons I've learned in the classroom.''
Hickman said he sees great meaning in Proverbs 18:16:
A man's gift makes room for him.
Hickman's gift, he believes, is building relationships. From football to the pulpit one day, he's intent on becoming a positive influence.
"He has wisdom beyond his chronological age,'' Hickman's father said. "I believe he will tell you the truth. People often don't want the truth. But truth is love. He's going to deliver a truthful message. My son has persevered through life and now he's finding a special place. We have been there to guide and support his journey, but he has cleared the path. We are so proud.''
–#GoBulls–
