Ricky Hope Feature Article

When on the field sporting a Texas A&M University-Commerce jersey, Ricky Hope is anything but quiet. The ‘6 1″, 210 lb. defensive lineman led the team with 11 sacks this season, 19.5 tackles for a loss of 107 yards, and 31 total tackles, 23 of those solo. It is no surprise, then, that Hope was named an All-American four times for his efforts last season. The Associated Press, Daktronics, D2Football.com, and, most recently, Don Hansen’s Football Gazette all named him on their All-American teams. Despite all the excitement that surrounds Hope, one would be surprised to find he is a quiet, fairly reserved man off the field. “They make me feel good, but I don’t like all the hype,” Hope said about his All-American honors. The Coulan, Ga., native started his college football career at Reedley Junior College in California. “I signed with Valdosta State out of high school,” Hope said. “I didn’t qualify, so I had to go out there to junior college in California for two years. I signed back with Valdosta after junior college, and something went wrong with my paper work. So, I got release from Valdosta and I called the quarter back, Terry Mayo, to see how this place was. He told me it was a good place, so I came here.” A&M-Commerce was not the only school on Hope’s radar after his stint with Valdosta ended. He admits at least one Division I school contacted him. Mayo was a teammate with Hope at Reedley, and was able to convince him to join the Lions’ football program. However, the goings got tough for him in the beginning.”When I first came here, I was ready to pack my bags and leave,” Hope said. “I didn’t like how things were operated around here. I wasn’t used to how things were here. I felt like the program wasn’t run right.” It took the words of Coach Randy Wilkins to keep Hope a part of the Lions’ setup.”He talked to me and just said ‘Things will get better, just stick it out’,” Hope said. “I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into. I didn’t come on a visit here, I just came because Terry was here. If I would have come to visit, I probably would not have came here. My junior year, I was depressed.” Hope continued to say part of the problems he encountered in his junior year had to deal with the people being different. Things did improve, as Hope says he will take plenty of good memories away from A&M-Commerce. Despite his junior year being tough, this last season will live a long time in his mind. Now, Hope plans to move on to bigger and better things.”The NFL is currently reviewing my tape right now,” Hope said. “CFL, I sent my tape up there.” If, worst case scenario, he does not make it into the professional ranks, Hope does have a plan in mind for his career with his degree in sociology. “I would like to work in juvenile centers, and reaching out to young kids,” Hope said. “If I went to college, I know a lot of kids can change and go to college. My mom and dad thirteen kids, so if I made it, they can make it.”