UNC Football: Wide receiver position room named after Hakeem Nicks

The Carolina football program has announced it will be naming its wide receiver meeting room after Hakeem Nicks following a generous gift from the former Tar Heel ball-catcher. Nicks played just three years for the Heels (2006-2008), but that was all he needed to become one of the most accomplished receivers in school history.

In 2009, Nicks was drafted 29th overall by the New York Giants. He spent the majority of his career there and even helped the team win a Super Bowl in 2011. He played for the Indianapolis Colts in 2014 and then returned to the Giants for a season before ultimately retiring in 2016.

Nicks was never especially known for his speed or athleticism, even at the collegiate level. Rather, he hung his hat on route-running as well as his ability to reel in just about any ball that came in his vicinity. Although he struggled a bit early in his professional career, it wasn’t too long before Nicks became one of Eli Manning’s favorite and most reliable receiving options. From 2010-2011, he racked up 155 receptions, 2,244 yards, and 18 touchdowns.

Since his retirement, Nicks has made a conscious effort to keep himself involved with the Heels’ football program. He becomes the second former player to be named after a position meeting room. The other is Da’Norris Searcy (played at UNC from 2007-2010), whose name resides over the defensive backs meeting room. Nicks and Searcy are hopeful that their contributions might inspire other former Tar Heels to donate or give back to the program in one way or another.