Sean Hickey will return to Syracuse for his senior season, the tackle announced via Twitter on Monday.

It was a very tough and close decision and I would of been happy and excited about my career with either choice.

— Sean Hickey (@HickeyCuse60) January 6, 2014

But I have decided that to return to Syracuse for my senior year is the best choice for my career. #cusenation

— Sean Hickey (@HickeyCuse60) January 6, 2014

Hickey moved to left tackle this season after spending most of the previous year on the right side of the line as Justin Pugh, a first-round pick to the New York Giants last season, manned the left tackle spot. With Hickey in the fold, the Orange had a 1,000-yard rusher in two of the past three seasons and totaled more than 2,500 yards on the ground as a team in 2013.

Hickey is viewed as one of the top tackle prospects in the nation and a potential early-round draft choice.

A fourth-year junior from Murrysville, Pa., Hickey redshirted his first year at SU in 2011 and didn’t play in any games. He started all 13 games in 2012, including the first four at left tackle, as Pugh recovered from an injury. He finished the season at right tackle before moving back to left tackle at the beginning of the 2013 season to anchor Syracuse’s offensive line.

The Orange has won a bowl game in each of Hickey’s two seasons as a starter. Hickey joins guards Rob Trudo and Nick Robinson and tackle Ivan Foy as the fourth returning starter on SU’s offensive line. Senior center Macky MacPherson is the only starter Syracuse will lose from this season.

Published on January 6, 2014 at 2:15 pm

Contact David: dbwilson@syr.edu | @DBWilson2