Wicks Selected by Green Bay Packers in 2023 NFL Draft

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia wide receiver  Dontayvion Wicks (Plaquemine, La.) was chosen by the Green Bay Packers during the fifth round of the 2023 National Football League Draft. He was the 159th overall player selected in the draft. Wicks is the first Cavalier selected by the Packers since quarterback Aaron Brooks in 1999.

Wicks set the UVA single-season receiving yards record with 1,203 yards in 2021, breaking the mark held previously by NFL standout Herman Moore. He finished his Virginia career 12th on school’s career receiving yards list (1,694). His 183 yards receiving at North Carolina in 2021 were the sixth-most by a UVA wideout in a single game. He had a reception in each of his final 20 games played. He posted 34 receptions of 20 yards or more, the most by any Cavalier since 2000 and six of his 12 career touchdown passes went for 40 or more yards.

Following the 2021 season, Wicks was named an honorable mention pick on Pro Football Network’s All-America Team. That year he was voted a first-team All-ACC selection. He was the Richmond Touchdown Club’s Offensive End of the Year for the state of Virginia. He participated in the 2023 Senior Bowl.

Wicks spoke with Green Bay media after his selection. Here are some of his comments:

On being taken by the Packers: “I had a feeling it was gonna be Green Bay because I had great conversations with (receivers) Coach (Jason) Vrable and Coach (Matt) LaFleur. So great news and I’m ready to get to work.”

On his 2022 season stats: “It was just a new adjustment. You know having Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall for three years, I got comfortable with that system. Coach (Tony) Elliot coming in, getting used to everything new. But I started to get comfortable and then, as I got comfortable, the injury happened and then, you know, the season got canceled (after a tragic shooting killed three teammates).”

On honoring Lavel Davis Jr, D’Sean Perry and Devin Chandler: “It means a lot. Knowing that they wanted to be in this position I’m in, so 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.”

On seeing Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs succeed as rookies in Green Bay: “Watching them last year do their thing, it was good. And being able to visit Green Bay and be around the organization, I see that they help players become better versions of themselves. And so being able to be around them … having some young competition to go against every day is gonna make us all better.”