Before he was a reliable target in the Green Bay Packers' rotation, Dontayvion Wicks was basically rewriting the record books at the University of Virginia. Most fans today know him as a late-round steal, a guy who consistently finds soft spots in NFL zones. But if you actually look back at his time in Charlottesville, his production was closer to that of a first-round lock.
It was a rollercoaster. High highs, a massive injury, and a final year that left scouts scratching their heads.
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Honestly, the dontayvion wicks college stats tell a story of a player who probably should have been drafted much higher if not for a confusing 2022 season. Let’s break down how a kid from Plaquemine, Louisiana, went from a three-star recruit to the most prolific single-season receiver in UVA history.
The 2021 Breakout: A Season for the Ages
If you want to understand why NFL analysts were so high on Wicks despite his fifth-round draft capital, you have to look at 2021. It was ridiculous. Wicks didn't just play well; he dominated the ACC.
He finished that year with 57 receptions. That sounds modest until you see the yardage: 1,203 receiving yards.
He averaged 21.1 yards per catch. Think about that. Every time the ball touched his hands, Virginia moved 20 yards downfield. That 1,203-yard mark didn't just lead the team; it broke the school’s single-season record previously held by Herman Moore, a guy who went on to be a four-time Pro Bowler in the NFL.
Moore’s record had stood since 1990. Wicks shattered it while only starting 11 games.
- Receptions: 57
- Yards: 1,203
- Touchdowns: 9
- Yards Per Catch: 21.1 (1st in ACC, 5th in NCAA)
He was a human highlight reel. There was a specific game against North Carolina where he put up 183 yards. He was catching everything Brennan Armstrong threw his way, often in heavy traffic or deep down the sideline.
Dealing With the 2020 Setback
People often forget that Wicks almost didn't have a 2021 season. He missed the entire 2020 campaign.
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An injury suffered in preseason camp sidelined him before the year even started. It was a massive blow for a guy who had only shown flashes as a true freshman in 2019 (where he had 3 catches for 61 yards and a score). Coming back from a lost year to set an all-time school record is the kind of resilience that defines his career.
The 2022 Regression: What Happened?
This is where the dontayvion wicks college stats get a little messy. If he had repeated his 2021 performance, he’s likely a top-50 pick. Instead, 2022 was a grind.
The coaching staff changed. Tony Elliott took over, and the offense shifted from a wide-open, pass-happy system to something more conservative. Wicks also dealt with nagging injuries. He started eight games before a bone bruise ended his season early.
His numbers took a dive:
- Receptions: 30
- Yards: 430
- Touchdowns: 2
- Yards Per Catch: 14.3
The drops became a talking point. Critics pointed to his 2022 tape and questioned his hands. But the nuance is in the context. The entire Virginia offense struggled that year, and Wicks was often asked to win in different, less explosive ways.
He still finished 12th on Virginia’s career receiving yards list with 1,694 yards, but that final season definitely cooled his draft stock.
Why the Stats Translated to the NFL
Scouts who looked past the 2022 stat line saw a player with elite "separation" metrics. In 2021, Wicks had 34 receptions of 20 yards or more. That was the most by any Cavalier since 2000.
He wasn't just fast; he was twitchy.
Even when his raw numbers dipped in 2022, his ability to beat man coverage remained high. That’s why the Packers jumped on him in the fifth round. They saw a guy who had already proven he could be the focal point of a high-powered offense.
Career Summary at Virginia
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 90 |
| Receiving Yards | 1,694 |
| Touchdowns | 12 |
| Games Played | 30 |
It’s a bit of a "what if" scenario. What if he hadn't gotten hurt in 2020? What if the 2022 offense hadn't cratered? He likely leaves Virginia as the undisputed GOAT of their receiving room.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking Wicks' career or looking at him for fantasy purposes, don't let the 2022 college decline fool you.
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- Watch the 2021 Tape: To see his true ceiling, you have to watch his 2021 highlights. That version of Wicks—the deep-threat monster—is who he is when he’s healthy and in the right system.
- Context Matters: When evaluating college stats, always check for coaching changes. Wicks is the poster child for how a scheme shift can mask a player's talent.
- Look at Efficiency: His career 18.8 yards per catch in college is elite. It suggests a player who creates big plays rather than just soaking up "trash time" volume.
The reality is that Wicks was a record-breaker who hit a speed bump. His college career provided the blueprint for the versatile, explosive pro he has become. To get a better feel for his current trajectory, compare these college numbers to his rookie NFL splits where he led all first-year players in several efficiency categories. You'll see the 2021 version of Wicks is exactly who showed up in Green Bay.