The Houston Roughnecks signed tight end Derrick Deese Jr. and defensive back Ja’Von Hicks on Friday.
Derrick Deese Jr. is six foot four and weighs 248 pounds. The 25-year-old from La Palma, California, made one catch for nine yards in three preseason games for the Detroit Lions in 2023. The Lions signed Deese Jr. as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and spent the season on the practice squad.
Collegiately, Deese Jr. played two seasons at Golden West (2016-17) with 47 catches for 813 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games for the Rustlers. Then, he transferred to San Jose State (2018-21) with 85 catches for 1,142 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 34 games for the Spartans. He was a two-time All-Mountain West Honorable Mention.
Ja’Von Hicks is six foot two and weighs 210 pounds. The 23-year-old from Cincinnati, Ohio, attended the Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp and later signed with the Edmonton Elks and was placed on the practice squad in 2023.
Collegiately, Hicks played five seasons at Cincinnati (2018-22) with 197 tackles (107 solo, 90 assists), 4.5 tackles for loss, ten interceptions for 189 yards, one touchdown, 21 pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and seven fumble recoveries in 60 games for the Bearcats. He was named Second Team All-AAC in 2022.
