Why 2024 in-state PWO WR Drew Hickmott committed to Michigan

The traditional National Signing Day period was two months ago, but Michigan added another piece to its 2024 recruiting class in Ortonville (Mich.) Brandon preferred walk-on wide receiver Drew Hickmott, who announced on social media his next chapter earlier this week.

“I felt great,” Hickmott told The Wolverine. “So, we officially came out with the decision, but I’ve pretty much been decided since the season ended. So, for a few months now. But we officially released it because the coaches let me know that the numbers were perfect on the roster, so I would have a spot perfectly. I was just so excited. It’s a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to play in the Big Ten, growing up in the Midwest. I just loved it.”

Michigan issued the in-stater a PWO offer this past June when Hickmott traveled to Ann Arbor to compete in one of the team-hosted summer camps. His outing in front of the coaches led to interest brewing from both sides.

“They actually saw my abilities in person compared to other schools that were just calling me over the phone and offering me a PWO,” Hickmott said. “So, I trusted their evaluation, and they saw something in me.

“I’m just hoping to grind it out. Obviously, I’m not going to be in there and getting reps right away. But I hope that I can contribute wherever I can, whether that’s on special teams or wherever on the field. If I have to play defense, I don’t care. I just want to get on the field at some point. I would love to make the travel team my freshman year. I think that’d be huge.”

Ortonville is an hour north of Ann Arbor, so its proximity allowed Hickmott to schedule regular appearances on campus. From the June camp to the spring game and practices inside Schembechler Hall, throughout the process, one of the things Hickmott appreciated the most was the caring demeanor of the U-M staff.

“Coaches remembering you,” Hickmott said. “That’s the first thing, especially as a PWO. I was expecting to go in there and have to reintroduce myself. But right away, Coach Bellamy and Coach Goodrich came up to me, remembered who I am, and remembered my parents. That was a big thing for me.”

Hickmott looks forward to furthering his development under Michigan wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy, as the pair have mutual connections at Ortonville. Graduate assistant Andrew Goodrich also has a connection with Hickmott.

“(Bellamy is) awesome,” Hickmott said. “He and my head coach, Brad Zube, have a really good relationship because they coached against each other in high school. Matthew Harrison was a kid who went to my school. He’s four years older and a wide receiver who was also a PWO at Michigan. So, I’ve always known about (Bellamy), and he’s just an awesome guy. He tells it to me straight up.

“(Goodrich is) awesome, too. He always answers me right away and tells me the information that I’m exactly looking for. He’s just really good at communicating with me.”

Bellamy’s message to Hickmott once he enrolls is clear.

“He thinks that I have a legit shot to get on the field,” Hickmott said. “Obviously, not right away. I’m going to have to work very, very hard. But he thinks that I could contribute, whether that’s special teams or getting in the rotation at wide receiver. He likes my ability to go up and get the ball. I’m a bigger wide receiver, so I think I have that ability. He thinks that I have knowledge of the game.”

Hickmott joins a wide receiver room that includes a former walk-on who received a scholarship last offseason in Peyton O’Leary, who’s been someone the former has continued to follow because of their mirrored starting points at Michigan.

“Semaj Morgan, he’s electric,” Hickmott said. “Every time he touches the ball. Roman Wilson had a great year. Cornelius Johnson had a great year. At the Senior Bowl, they both did super well. I thought that was cool. Then, Peyton, I met him last spring, right before the spring game. I went to a spring practice and met him. I saw him go off for 120 yards or something like that. So, I thought that was super cool to watch that. Preferred walk-ons really do get opportunities if you work hard.”

Hickmott’s offer was earned when Jim Harbaugh was head coach, and where he stood with the Wolverines didn’t change once Sherrone Moore took over.

“I think he’s done a great job so far,” Hickmott said. “He got the staff in super quickly, super smoothly. There was never a question whether my roster spot was at stake or anything like that. I think he’s got a great coaching staff in place right now. You saw in the four games that he coached last year. Very good results.”

So, what should Michigan fans know about Hickmott before he arrives?

“I’m a super hard worker,” Hickmott said. “I think it’s hard to outwork me. I see the game super well, and I have a knack for getting the ball, whether that’s offense or defense. I let the state in pick-sixes my freshman year of high school. So, I love getting the ball. I love getting into plays. I love making big plays. Nothing is better than making a big play.”