The Lass Word: The Perfect Underdog for Underdog Green Bay
Wicks has beaten the odds just to get here.
By KenLass
Do you like to pull for an underdog? Of course you do. You’re a Packers fan. Your team is America’s favorite underdog. Green Bay is not just the smallest NFL city, it is the smallest by a mile. It’s population of around 104,000 is roughly one-third of the next smallest host city, which is Buffalo. The odds of such a modest town in a cold weather climate retaining a franchise in the world’s biggest and most profitable professional sports league are nearly impossible.
Without a wealthy owner, owned by ordinary fans throughout the world, competing against mega cities like New York and Chicago and Los Angeles, makes the Packers the ultimate underdog. Yet not only have they competed, they are the NFL’s all time winningest franchise. It is the most unlikely story in all of sports.
What better team then, for an underdog player like Dontayvion Wicks? The fifth round draft pick is trying to break into a receiver rotation that includes projected starters Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, second year veteran Samori Toure, who is already being tabbed as one of the most improved players on the team, and this year’s second round pick Jayden Reed, whom many have penciled in as the starter in the slot.
Then there is seventh round selection Grant DuBose, plus free agents Bo Melton, Jeff Cotton, Malik Heath, Duece Watts, and the recently signed Jadakis Bonds. The odds of Wicks breaking through that logjam to garner significant playing time are stacked against him.
So what else is new? The University of Virginia product has been successfully beating the odds all of his life, starting with growing up in a small Louisiana bayou town of about six thousand residents, 27 percent of whom lived at or below the poverty line. The crime rate in that town was 54 percent above the national average.
Yet Wicks excelled as a three sport athlete at the local high school. He thought of himself mainly as a basketball player, and imagined that would be his ticket to a college scholarship. But once he began playing football in his sophomore year, as both a quarterback and a receiver, he quickly realized the gridiron would be his forte.
Wicks’ hometown is an outlying community of Baton Rouge, in the shadow of college powerhouse LSU, but Wicks did not get much attention from them. As a three star recruit, he had offers from smaller programs such as New Mexico and Louisiana Lafayette. Finally, a power five conference school took notice. The University of Virginia football progam had been working the state of Louisiana hard, and wound up signing the eighteen year old prospect. This was the ACC, his best chance to get widespread attention.
After playing sparingly his freshman year, Wicks was in line to be a major contributor as a sophomore. But adversity struck. The 6-1 pass catcher suffered a serious foot injury in August preseason workouts. He would miss the entire 2020 season, during which the team would post a 5-5 record. Rather than sulk and get down on himself, Wicks worked even harder to come back, and when he took the field at the start of the 2021 campaign, he was a revelation.
He set a school record for receiving yards with 1,203. He was first team all ACC after 57 catches and 9 touchdowns. His average of 21.1 yards per reception led the conference and was fourth nationwide. Just as he was bursting on to the national consciousness, another tough break. Because of a severe Covid outbreak on the team, Virginia canceled the final two games of the season, plus a berth in the Fenway Bowl, which would have been a chance for the Cavaliers star to display his talent across the country on ESPN. Still, Wicks was among the most highly regarded college receiving prospects in the country coming into 2022.
Then another challenge arrived. Brock Mendenhall, under whose system Wicks thrived, unexpectedly resigned as head coach, citing burnout. He was replaced by Tony Elliott, who had been offensive coordinator at Clemson. Elliott brought a completely new offense to Virginia, one which required, among other things, a change in the way receivers were to run their routes. Wicks struggled with the transition. Then injury struck again. He missed two games. When he was finally able to get back on the field, his productivity had slipped. In six games, he had 30 catches for 430 yards and two scores. Not terrible, but not up to the lofty expectations observers had set for him.
However, the worst was yet to come.
On November 13, 2022, Christopher Darnell Jones, a former member of the Virginia football team, produced a gun and opened fire on students on a chartered bus, which was returning from a field trip to Washington DC. Several current team members were on board. Three of them were killed. Two of the victims, Lavel Davis and Devin Chandler, were receivers, close friends and position teammates with Wicks. The third fatality was linebacker D’Sean Parry. Two other students, including one player, were injured. A stunned and grieving campus canceled the rest of the season, and football faded into the tragic cloud of the incident.
It was with that backdrop of adversity that Wicks learned he had been selected in round five of the NFL draft by the Packers. He has dedicated his career to his fallen teammates. "Knowing that they wanted to be in this position I'm in” he said, “I’m doing this for them, knowing that was their biggest goal, being able to be in this position, I thank God. I know they're watching over me every day."
Wicks also hasn’t forgotten where he came from. He beat the odds again by finishing his degree in American Studies at UVA. “A lot of people thought I wouldn’t graduate from there, coming from where I came from” he told media gathered around his locker at Lambeau Field. He says it was hard work, but he did it for his mother. “That (getting his degree) was a bigger goal for her, than it was for me getting into the league. She was more happy with that than for me getting drafted.”
His goal is to use his degree to start his own business, one that might allow him to mentor kids who need to see a path out of poverty and crime. “I want to help kids because I didn’t know what I wanted to do when I was young....give them resources to develop faster.”
Now there’s an underdog to pull for.
Dontayvion faces a tough battle for playing time on this Packers team, but the staff thought enough of him to bring him in for a pre-draft interview. Not particularly fast with a 4.62 forty yard dash, scouts say he needs work on precision route running and a propensity for drops. But the Packers also noticed the ease with which he seems to be able to separate down the field and track the ball. His raw athletic ability jumps off the screen. The Packers are betting that his junior year performance is a more accurate example of his skill set. “When you watch the ’21 tape,” Packers director of football operations Milt Hendrickson said about Wicks, “there’s a significant difference. And at this point in the draft, when you’re taking a player like that, that’s what we’re hanging our hat on.”
Long shot or not, I wouldn’t count him out. He’s not afraid of a challenge. He has overcome a lot to get here. Wicks is my pick to be the surprise jewel of the 2023 rookie class.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
Comments (48)
PackEyedOptimist
May 29, 2023 at 06:38 am
Thanks Ken, for all of these details about the young man’s experiences. I had read he had hardships and knew there was the shooting, but these details make it much more vivid and REAL.
I hope Packer fans really support him and his program.
He has some Davante-like skills, so he could definitely become a real player; the focus that comes from tragic backstories is sad, but it is very empowering as well.
Best of luck Dontayvion!
greengold
May 29, 2023 at 07:25 am
Agree 100%, PEO.
Dontayvion’s footwork at the LOS is remarkably similar to DA.
marpag1
May 29, 2023 at 09:37 am
I'd say he has a looooooong way to go before his footwork is "remarkably similar to DA." Not saying he's a bad player, but let's be reasonable. Pretty much no one has feet like Davante.
Johnblood27
May 29, 2023 at 06:45 am
Certainly not the usual or an easy route to where he is today.
Every snap will be an opportunity for him, let's hope that he realizes that 100% effort is his only path to success now.
It will be a very interesting off-season this year and for the next couple seasons as the "new" Packers develop. There will be successes and failures along the way, I like the make-up of the kids we have competing now, attitude counts for a lot. No divas, lots of hungry talented kids.
It is gonna be fun again to watch the Green Bay Packers. The experience for me had degraded to a point that I was becoming disinterested. JLove and the kids. Im guardedly enthusiastic.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:30 am
Exactly! Let him compete for a roster spot. We can surely use depth on the PS too.
mrtundra
May 29, 2023 at 07:17 am
Looking forward to seeing the progress made by all our receivers. We certainly have given Love weapons. Let's see how they fit into the MLF offense during camp. GO PACK, GO!!!
greengold
May 29, 2023 at 07:21 am
Great backstory on Dontayvion Wicks, Ken.
Wicks looks like the real deal. His separation skills at the LOS truly reminiscent of Davante Adams. Just watch his feet and you’d swear it was DA.
He’s a high volume, high percentage target. He tough, elusive, and wins contested catches. Wicks gets YAC, & has surprising speed to win deep, and I’m not talking 40 times. It’s quite hard to describe but he regularly gets behind the D over the top. He’s got a knack for cutting through traffic, and consistently displays superior route running and sure hands.
Wicks’ game has QB’s best friend written all over it.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Thank you to all who gave their lives & served our nation.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:32 am
It's the contested catches that I noticed with him. Hopefully finishing plays like that becomes contagious ...
Since'61
May 29, 2023 at 07:40 am
While enjoying this holiday today please take a moment to reflect on the price of the freedom that we have the opportunity to share in our great country.
This is not Veterans Day which is for all who have served. This is Memorial Day and it is our day to honor those who have given the last full measure of devotion.
This includes not only the members of Armed Forces but also the Police, Firemen, EMTs, Nurses and all of our first responders who answer the call.
The best way to honor them and respect their memory is to live the best lives that we possibly can for ourselves and our families.
"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter the words, but to live by them." John F. Kennedy
Thanks, Since '61🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
greengold
May 29, 2023 at 07:48 am
Great reminder, Since’61.
Since'61
May 29, 2023 at 08:09 am
👍. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸. Thanks, Since '61
lou
May 29, 2023 at 07:53 am
Thanks for the Veterans Day message Since 61, I am the middle generation of 3 generations of combat decorated US Marines (WWII-Vietnam-Kosovo) and my thoughts today will be for the many who gave their all.
Since'61
May 29, 2023 at 08:08 am
Great family tradition to be proud of lou.
Thanks, Since '61
Ferrari-Driver
May 29, 2023 at 01:01 pm
Great post and I will always feel indebted to those military heroes who lost their lives to preserve the freedom that I and every person on this website enjoys. I can only imagine the sacrifice and horror that combat soldiers experienced in the defense of our nation and we should revere those who lost their lives doing so every day of the year and not just on this Memorial Day.
ReaganRulz
May 29, 2023 at 07:49 am
Thanks for the great article Ken!! After watching Wick’s locker room interview on packers.com, you can tell that he is motivated, but mega grounded at the same time.
I’ve also seen a lot of fairly reputable media outlets predicting him to be a top sleeper from this year’s draft. We don’t need a superstar right now…just a guy that can learn the system, catch the ball, and be a good influence with the team.
Hope everyone enjoys Memorial Day and so THANKFUL to all the fallen serviceman/women who have sacrificed for all of us!! - Semper Fi -
TxFred
May 29, 2023 at 08:14 am
Wicks is in the best place for him to flourish. Wish him all the best. GPG!
barutanseijin
May 29, 2023 at 08:23 am
I think he has more upside than Reed, but he has to catch the ball. I think we’ll have to wait for him to learn the Packer offense and to develop pass catching hands.
croatpackfan
May 29, 2023 at 08:33 am
Ken, just to remind you of one quote from MM: "We (Packers) are not anyones underdog!"
But, I am also the one who will, in neutral (for me) confrontation always stands and cheer for underdogs. Looking at life as strugle to win against all odds, I built my life around that thought and that is why I always lean towards underdogs.
All Packers players, no matter who will shine and who will fall are the ones (at the moment 91 of them) I'm looking to get success. Inside the Packers team, I'm cheering for all of them, but I would like more if Karl Brooks become starter than LVN. At the same time I cheer for LVN to be true Hercules for Packers D.
So, I trully believe that Packers will have success this season, no matter what their record will be. If they will use this year to build strong team for future, I will be staisfied. If they will be able to enter the post season I will be trully happy.
There is more than few players with pretty hard story in their resume, but those hard moments can harden the person in positive way, just if that person have it in himself. Everything in anyones life has purpose, possibility for everybody to improve him-/her- self.
GO PACK GO!
Razer
May 29, 2023 at 08:37 am
Great story - Thanks Ken. NFL draft through pre season is such a time of hope and promise. Reminds me of the golf equipment industry. Everyone is selling faith that a new club or ball will get you further, straighter and tighter.
One thing for sure - we better have a coaching staff that can harness and develop these young talents. Coaching will be the biggest thing under my microscope this season.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:37 am
Me too! Entirely different skill set needed now than coaching the regular season. Should be building a team that dominates for a decade ...
Handsback
May 29, 2023 at 08:48 am
Thanks '61 and thank you Ken. My father was a WWII and Korea vet. He was always grateful for those who didn't make it back. Always said they were the real heroes even though he had a chest full of medals himself.
Ken, many on this board were positive about Wicks from the get go, but appreciate the back story of his life. As a person his character seems to fit the reason we celebrate those who gave their all.
Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable day
Just MHO
dobber
May 29, 2023 at 08:50 am
Lots of twists and turns for him, but he landed in a place where there's a real opportunity to bust through. Watson and Doubs are the only "for certain" ahead on the depth chart...after that, there's a wide-open competition for the snaps vacated by Lazard (863), Cobb (371), and Watkins (279). It's a pretty friendly place to land for a mid-round WR...all he has to do is seize his chance.
WD
May 29, 2023 at 08:58 am
Character, passion and love of the game are good qualities to have. However, the most relevant points of this assessment are 1) He is slow. Very slow for a WR. 2) Frequent Drops. In his last two years of college. Not only will he have a difficult time getting open but even if he manages to get the ball there is a good chance he will drop it. There is nothing more disappointing than to watch a receiver drop the ball. Here is the dilemma. If the Packers only keep six WRs; who will they cut? I would like to see an objective assessment for two of our free agents. Namely Bo Melton and Jeff Cotton. Both have blazing speed and seem to be able to consistently catch the ball. You need a lot more than character, passion and love of the game to win in the NFL.
dobber
May 29, 2023 at 09:22 am
Wicks' 2021 film certainly shows that he plays faster than his timed speed and had little problem getting behind defenders. I don't know if he came to the combine dinged, but the fact that he stood on his 40 time on his pro day doesn't help. There's a lot more than just running fast, too, but Wicks' scouts also note that his routes need a lot of work (not to mention his drops). So there's plenty here for him to work on, but I see him as someone who'll need to really look like he doesn't belong to not on the 53.
LLCHESTY
May 29, 2023 at 01:54 pm
Wicks had an elite 10 yard split along with broad and vertical jumps. A fast 40 doesn't make an All Pro WR. As far as athletic testing the 40 correlates the least with NFL success as far as the WR position goes.
He also only had problems with drops his last year in college but you do you.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:40 am
We need depth. The coaching staff needs to develop everybody, and evaluate properly. PS still counts. Second or third season greatness is fine :)
marpag1
May 29, 2023 at 09:42 am
The article says that Toure is "tabbed as one of the most improved players on the team." What is this referring to? I haven't heard anything. Just asking...
LambeauPlain
May 29, 2023 at 10:15 am
He added 10-15 lbs of chiseled weight and showed up looking like a different player. Seems to have worked incredibly hard over the offseason to get ready for Camp.
dobber
May 29, 2023 at 01:08 pm
I look like a different person after adding 10-15 lbs of chiseled weight this winter...unfortunately it was chiseled from bacon.
Johnblood27
May 29, 2023 at 07:47 pm
supplemented with baked peanut butter (cookies) I bet...
Heyward
May 29, 2023 at 03:38 pm
Just remember, Tyler Davis was getting all the hype last spring. Nothing really matters until the pads go on in August.
Johnblood27
May 29, 2023 at 07:47 pm
Thanks for the painful memory...
Let's talk punt blocks too...
LambeauPlain
May 29, 2023 at 10:26 am
Wicks is as good a dark horse to make an impact as any, but probably not immediately. If he makes the team or PS, I can see him producing in a year or two and could end up being a real find. That Junior year was amazing. If he get back to that production...wow!
My dark horse impact player is Reed for this season. He was a wrecking ball as a DT playing outside on the edge. Add him to the rotation with Kenny, Wyatt, & Slayton ... talented group. Even Wooden should get meaningful snaps.
But my hunch is Reed is going to be difficult to keep off the field.
Razer
May 29, 2023 at 12:18 pm
...My dark horse impact player is Reed for this season. He was a wrecking ball as a DT playing outside...
Not sure who the Reed you are referring to. We drafted a WR Reed and I see no other Reed listed.
jhtobias
May 29, 2023 at 11:18 am
Cant wait to see the development of the offense this yr . Not concerened with the recored wins and loses.
I do have to point out lafluer has made a fatal error that will most likely cause him his job and the truth is he should be an offensive coordinator not a head coach .
When you retain joe berry to lead what needs to be a top 5 unit in the league due to investment and talent action must take place. Now if by some miracle joe berry can accomplish this them myself and many many others will eat crow happily.
Thankfully we have a man on the staff ready to lead this team rich b is a true head coach . Lafluer only has himself to blame for this horrible mistake .
Whatever happens go pack and give 100 percent every day .
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:44 am
I wouldn't cry to see Rich take over as HC, but I hope he can keep JB from ruining another season first.
GregC
May 29, 2023 at 12:56 pm
If the WRs are ranked by draft position, which is a reasonable place to start, Wicks is #4, so it would not be surprising for him to get a lot of playing time. If there's an injury, he could be right in the thick of the rotation. I wonder what exactly the problem was with him not adapting to the new coach's offense. I'm hoping it was just a bad offensive scheme or maybe one that played against his strengths. The adjustment from college to pro is bound to be even bigger than that. I hope he can get up to speed before too long.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:46 am
I'm not worried who starts, makes the roster, or PS. We need depth at WR. Someone that develops into great by their second or third season is just fine, right now. We haven't been in a position like that for forever ...
Ferrari-Driver
May 29, 2023 at 01:05 pm
You make a good case for Wicks and I like most people here do pull for the underdog. But for Wicks to make this team he is going to have to be a special teams demon because there are a lot of young, hungry, and talented receivers trying to make that 53 man squad just like he is.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:48 am
Competition! It's good for the team, and good for everybody. This is really the coaches chance to shine, we'll see how they do developing everybody and evaluating talent. Totally different skill sets from coaching in the regular season.
Leatherhead
May 29, 2023 at 01:49 pm
Once again, the Packers selected a guy whose best season was his junior year, followed by a senior season not as good. This is a clear M.O. and one that I'm surely going to be paying attention to for next year.
Unless the guys in front of him get hurt, or play poorly, he's going to have a hard time getting on the field. The best case scenario, IMO, is that he 'strains his groin' and gets put on that short term IR, so he'd get some more practices in and a little more time to adjust and then we could activate him and/or put him on the practice squad.
I don't think this is his year, but I think he could be a very good piece for the next couple of years. Right now, he has Watson, Doubs, Toure, and Reed all in front of him. I suppose that would put him in the battle for #5 with Melton and some others, so it could certainly happen, and then if guys did get hurt, he might see the field. Then anything can happen.
LLCHESTY
May 29, 2023 at 02:01 pm
After last year I thought you would have given up on predicting the order of production amongst the WRs. Watson will obviously get 1st crack at WR1 but 2-6 is wide open. We've seen plenty of Packer players take a step back in their 2nd seasons in recent years. Predicting the order of them is sillier this year than last.
Leatherhead
May 29, 2023 at 03:27 pm
That's the order today. It's not going to change because somebody looks good in his underwear. It will change it people get hurt or play poorly.
I guarantee you that on a magnet board someplace in the bowels of 1265 Lombardi, Watson-Doubs-Toure-Reed are the top 4. It's not chiseled in stone.
LLCHESTY
May 29, 2023 at 04:00 pm
Kind of like Doubs was behind Rodgers last year because Rodgers was a 3rd round pick and Doubs a 4th?
Leatherhead
May 29, 2023 at 05:08 pm
Not exactly. Then Watkins and Rodgers played poorly, and Watson was hurt, so Doubs got his chance. Rodgers, being a 3rd round pick with a year of experience under his belt was ahead of the rookie Doubs, just like Doubs and Toure are ahead of Reed and Wicks.. At this point. It doesn't change because a guy looks good in shorts.
Rodgers didn't start the season ahead of Doubs because he was selected one round higher, he started ahead of Doubs because he had a year under his belt. I've never understood why you can't grasp that.
SicSemperTyrannis
May 30, 2023 at 12:51 am
We can afford some players that take two or three seasons to develop greatness. When's the last time we had that luxury?
vin0770
May 29, 2023 at 06:19 pm
Great story Ken thanks. It’s amazing to think about, but everyone has a story and such is life 👍🏼
WD
May 30, 2023 at 08:30 am
After reading all the comments, I find it stunning how his record of drops and slow speed is minimized. He has LB or TE speed at best.. Unless he is a fantastic blocker I do not see him on the field at all. If he looks really extraordinary in camp put him on the practice squad. Frankly, I think Grant Dubose has a better chance. Time will tell. I think the phrase "he plays faster than his time" is more wishful thinking than reality. I vote Bo Melton and Jeff Cotton for 5th and 6th receivers. What is wrong with having the youngest and fastest group of WRs in the league? Raw materials (even diamonds) need polish for perfection. What gives the polish? The coaching and experience.