2024 5-star cornerback Desmond Ricks names top schools

Five-star IMG Academy (Fla.) cornerback Desmond Ricks is the most coveted defensive prospect in the country, holding more than 35 offers as he enters his junior season. The No. 2 overall player in the 2024 On3 Consensus is ready to begin narrowing things down, though.

That begins with his top 10, which includes Alabama, Florida, Jackson State, Miami, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas A&M, and USC.

“I can really see myself playing at all 10 of these schools,” he told On3. “They’re the ones talk to the most, and they have shown me the most love.”

Out of those, Ricks has visited Alabama, Florida, LSU, and Miami. He also has a return trip to Florida on July 30 scheduled. At this early stage, he is still in the process of developing relationships and learning more about each program. But he does have things in mind that will separate schools from one another.

Development is key for Desmond Ricks

“The most important to me is where I will get developed,” he said. “All 10 schools are top programs and I see them doing big things not only this season but in the coming years. They have great coaches, they recruit great players, and I know I could do well at any one of them. … I want to see how they play, what schools are winning, what coaches are producing on the field, and things like that.”

For now, his focus remains on the field with his own team, which will yet again contend for a national championship. Ricks said outside of that, he wants to get to campuses for gameday visits, as well as watch teams play on the weekends.

“I haven’t watched a lot of college football the last few seasons, but I will this year,” he added.

Currently, he says his best relationships are with the staffs at Miami and Alabama. But there’s still a long way to go in his recruitment. At the earlier, he would commit after his junior season, but want to take the proper amount of time to make a decision.