Eli Ricks is in Tuscaloosa for a reason.
As a transfer cornerback from Louisiana State University, Nick Saban grabbed him from the NCAA transfer portal in the offseason as an experienced defender. He played 16 games for the Tigers — despite a shoulder injury limiting him to six games in 2021 — totaling 31 tackles, six pass breakups, and five interceptions. Coach Saban sees the Crimson Tide’s secondary as an area of need, especially at outside corner. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder gives Alabama an athletic, rangy, physical, instinctive, and ball-hawking playmaker at the position. Some fans would like to see the Tide have an open competition at both corner spots, but Saban started Henry To’oto’o (linebacker) and Jameson Williams (wide receiver) as transfers last year. Ricks possesses the same ability to come in and make an impact in spring practice. Saban called him ‘impressive’ after the team’s first session of practice.
In Friday’s segment from In My Own Words, Stephen Smith of Touchdown Alabama Magazine breaks down the reason why Ricks will start at cornerback for the Tide. Smith said Saban does not get transfers with SEC experience to sit them.
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