2023 NFL Draft Profile: Alabama CB Eli Ricks
With the impending free agency of both Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting the Bucs will be looking to replenish the ranks of their secondary. The 2023 NFL Draft looks to be an oasis for a team currently lost in the desert of salary cap hell. Cornerback is one of the deeper position groups in this year’s NFL draft with talent loaded throughout each round.
While we at Pewter Report have made cases for targeting corner in the first or second round, given the depth of this class there is a corner who could be a Bucs fit in the third. Eli Ricks of Alabama.
Eli Ricks’ College Career
Ricks enters the NFL Draft as a true Junior. Originally a top high school recruit in 2020 out of IMG Academy just down the road in Bradenton, FL, Ricks started his career at LSU. He was listed as a five-star recruit by both 247Sports and Rivals.com.
In 2020 Ricks played eight games as a true freshman for the Tigers. He registered 11 solo tackles and nine assisted tackles while recording four interceptions and five pass deflections while scoring a touchdown. In 2021 Ricks only played in six games and his statistical production fell off in every facet. He produced just 11 total tackles, one pass defensed and one interception his sophomore season.
Ricks entered the transfer portal prior to his Junior year and ended up moving to Alabama for the 2022 season. He was not an immediate starter for the Crimson Tide, as he didn’t move to the starting lineup until week eight against Mississippi State. Ricks had perhaps his best game of the season against the Bulldogs recording two tackles and four passes defensed. He finished the season with 13 tackles, one tackle for a loss, and those four passes defensed.
For his entire college career Ricks finished with 44 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 10 passes defensed and five interceptions.
