He needed one game to show it, but Eli Ricks is now comfortable in Alabama’s defense.
The transfer cornerback from Louisiana State University made his first career start for the Crimson Tide against Mississippi State and dominated inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. He made the secondary look better with his length, football intelligence, coverage skills, athleticism, competitiveness, and energy. Ricks, a California native, forced five incompletions — including four pass breakups (shared the team lead) in Alabama’s 30-6 victory. He earned multiple individual awards for his performance, but the former five-star also gained the respect of his teammates. After a bye week, Ricks will return to Tiger Stadium on Saturday where he spent his first two college football seasons. He was a Freshman All-American for LSU in 2020 with four interceptions.
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The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder may have the responsibility of neutralizing Tigers’ wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
On Monday, Nick Saban discussed Ricks’ progress with reporters, but he does not want him to over think what he has to do.
“Fundamentally, we worked hard to get Eli to understand the expectations for what we wanted him to do,” Saban said. “We wanted him to have a good understanding of scheme of how we were playing and what we were playing. I think he has developed confidence throughout the season as he has learned more. He played well in the last game, so hopefully he can build off that.”
Saban said the most important thing for Ricks is ‘to be himself’ against the Tigers.
“He does not have to think he has to do something fantastic because he is playing against the team he used to play for,”Saban said. “I think that it’s always important psychologically for guys to focus on what’s in front of them and do their job well.”
Saban was once the head coach at LSU from 2000 to 2004. He brought the Tigers a BCS National Championship in 2003, so he understands the emotions and intensity of this rivalry. Ricks will endure a lot of noise from LSU and some of his former teammates could try to get under his skin. He came to the Tide to win a College Football Playoff National Championship.
It will be imperative for him to be focused and loose in Death Valley.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
