Alabama CB Eli Ricks declares for 2023 NFL Draft

Alabama cornerback Eli Ricks has made his decision regarding the 2023 season. The former LSU standout is declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft, he announced Tuesday.

Ricks joined the Crimson Tide prior to this season after two years at LSU. He totaled 31 tackles and five interceptions for the Tigers in 2020 and 2021 before entering the transfer portal and becoming the No. 8-ranked transfer to hit the portal during the 2022 cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. With Alabama, Ricks had 13 tackles and a tackle for loss in this past season.

It wasn’t the year Ricks necessarily envisioned, and he explained where things might have gone wrong.

pic.twitter.com/n6mCOH8bl4

— Eli (@eliasricks) January 3, 2023

“Just learning the system,” Ricks said, via AL.com’s Mike Rodak. “I had a couple of little ding-up injuries earlier on in the season. But really just a matter of getting comfortable and used to playing how I know how to play. Coach Saban always tells me that I need to play my personal best, and he knew, even though I would look good out there, it wouldn’t be where I was supposed to be at here.

“Really just focusing on that, and really just listening to what he says. I sit right next to him in meetings, just soaking up everything… The relationship with Coach Saban is pretty cool. Honestly, the perception of him, before I came here, is kind of different than what I got. He’s a real nice guy. He’s straightforward and direct, and he’s going to want the best for you.”

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.