Junior defensive tackle Akiem Hicks has decided to leave LSU, sports information director Michael Bonnette confirmed Thursday. The Times-Picayune also confirmed Hicks’ recruiting was the subject of an internal investigation regarding NCAA policy violations. Athletic Director Joe Alleva confirmed the football program’s investigation on Nov. 30. Bonnette, coach Les Miles and the Southeastern Conference Office all declined to comment on the ongoing investigation. Hicks is no longer enrolled in the University, the Registrar’s Office said Thursday afternoon. The tackle saw no game action in his only season with the Tigers after leaving Sacramento City Community College last year. Hicks’ departure marks another in a string of departures or decommitments the team faced in the past few months. Former LSU running backs coach Larry Porter accepted the head coaching position at Memphis, and former LSU wide receivers coach D.J. McCarthy, who recruited Hicks, resigned in December after being tied to the same recruiting violation investigation. Last week, LSU junior safety Chad Jones declared his intent to join the NFL draft, and three recruits from the incoming class of 2010 have decomitted – the most recent being wide receiver Justin Hunter.
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