Brian Kelly downplays the significance of Eli Ricks returning to Baton Rouge with Alabama

Last year, Eli Ricks appeared in six games for LSU under Ed Orgeron. But he entered the transfer portal after the season and is gearing up to face his former team when Alabama heads to Baton Rouge this week.

Brian Kelly isn’t worried about that, though.

Kelly told reporters he hasn’t talked with his team about Ricks’ return to Death Valley. Instead, he wants the Tigers to focus on the task at hand, which is picking up a big rivalry victory at home under the lights.

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“They know him. Certainly, he was here,” Kelly told reporters Thursday. “Our guys are so much more focused on what they need to do and how they need to play more than any former relationships they’ve had with players, to be quite frank. And I’m sure Coach Saban is the same way. This is much more about being in the right emotional zone when you play the game and being locked in and focused. Our guys hear that from me all the time, and I’m pretty certain that that’s how it’s going to be played.”

Ricks committed to Alabama after entering the portal with plenty of hype, coming in as the No. 8 transfer during the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings. He’s appeared in four games this season, totaling four tackles while adding four passes defended with the Crimson Tide. He’s also coming off his first start of the season against Mississippi State and will try to make an impact once again against LSU on Saturday.

Brian Kelly weighs in on transfer portal windows, roster management

Following recent changes to the NCAA’s move to restrict entrance into the NCAA transfer portal to designated windows on the calendar, LSU coach Brian Kelly weighed in on how those changes have impacted roster management.

The rules were put in place to avoid an open-season scenario where players are entering and exiting the transfer portal year-round, causing a constant headache for coaches.

“We had some deep discussions at the SEC meetings, very frank, open discussions,” Kelly said Wednesday on an SEC teleconference call. “I think this is the best solution that gives the student-athlete the opportunity to get into the transfer situation if they deem to get one and allow roster management.”