Nick Saban reveals injury issues to Eli Ricks, addresses timetable

Eli Ricks was one of the highest-profile transfer portal additions for Alabama this offseason. As he competes for the starting cornerback job, Nick Saban said Ricks hasn’t been on the field since Saturday’s scrimmage.

Ricks is dealing with a back injury, Saban told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday. The former LSU cornerback is competing for the starting cornerback job and was the No. 8 transfer to hit the portal this offseason, according to the 2021 On3 Transfer Portal Rankings.

However, Saban sounded optimistic about a quick return for Ricks as he comes back from the injury.

“He hasn’t been able to practice since the scrimmage,” Saban said. “He’s got a little back problem. I don’t think it’s anything that’s going to keep him out for a long time.”

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Last year at LSU, Ricks had 11 total tackles and an interception before entering the portal. Now, he’s part of the competition for a starting cornerback spot, but Saban said he’s not ready to name the starters just yet.

“I can’t tell you who would be the starting corners at this point,” Saban said.

Nick Saban addresses current state of Alabama cornerback competition after scrimmage

Saban knows how important his defensive backs will be to the success of Alabama in 2022. The Crimson Tide have sent a bevy of impressive ball hawks to the NFL over recent years, and their crop for the upcoming season looks solid.

Following his team’s scrimmage, Saban addressed the current state of the Alabama cornerback competition.

“Kool-Aid [McKinstry] did okay. Terrion Arnold has done a really good job so far in camp. Eli Ricks is still trying to learn the defense so we can go out there and play with confidence. Khyree [Jackson] is out, so he didn’t participate today with a little bit of a groin injury that hopefully won’t keep him out long. So some of the young players are coming along,” Saban said. “We moved Antonio Kite to corner, which I think is a natural position for him and he’s done a pretty good job there. I’m sure that if you ask them, they’ll all say there’s things that they need to improve on. When I watch the film, I’m sure I’m going to be talking to them about what they need to improve on, as well.

“I think the big thing is keep people cut off, don’t give up big plays — that’s got to be a critical piece for what we have to do at the corner position.”