Reclassifying Desmond Ricks in 2023 rankings

Five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks made news on Saturday by announcing his intent to reclassify from the 2024 to 2023 cycle.

With his reclassifiiation now announced, Ricks must be moved into the 2023 rankings – both in the On300 and in the industry-generated On3 Consensus.

Ricks now slots in at No. 23 overall and as the No. 2 cornerback prospect in the 2023 On300. He also maintains the same five-star, 98 rating from On3. Ricks’ spot in the On3 Consensus will be ironed out as other recruiting media outlets place him within 2023 rankings.

Reclassifying to the 2023 cycle speeds up Ricks’ recruitment, as there’s just two months until the Early Signing Period. Ricks has attended games at Alabama, Florida, LSU and Miami this fall. On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons provided the latest on where things stand with Ricks’ recruitment in this On3+ story.

Ricks was ahead of the curve as a 2024 prospect

Desmond Ricks became a national prospect while starring on a loaded defense at IMG Academy as an underclassman last fall. The Chesapeake, Virginia native was a standout defender on a unit that was stocked with blue-chip prospects from the 2022 cycle. He showed advanced polish as a cover corner in both games and camp settings.

Ricks in at over 6-foot-1, 180 pounds with average length for his stature. He has registered good straight-line speed and high-end explosion in combine settings, most recently running an electronically-timed 4.53 second 40-yard dash while jumping 38.7 inches in the vertical and 10’4″ in the broad jump at IMG’s pro day in the spring.

The physical traits and early showings against top competition both alongside and against other touted prospects made Ricks one of the top 2024 prospects early in the cycle. It’s also worth noting Ricks was older for the 2024 cycle, having turned 18 years-old in October. He’s the same age as most of his new classmates in the 2023 cycle.

Evaluating Desmond Ricks this season

Desmond Ricks’ reclassification adjusts how we will evaluate his 2022 season at IMG, as it’s now essentially his senior season. The senior season is a key evaluation point in On3’s process as it typically provides some of the best insight into projecting prospects to the college, and ultimately professional level.

Some top cornerback prospect may go long stretches without being tested in coverage in high school. That’s not the case with Ricks, as IMG Academy has another five-star corner in Ellis Robinson IV. Teams can’t avoid throwing to both touted corners, so we’ve seen Ricks tested a decent amount this season.

Ricks’ 2022 season at IMG has been a bit of a mixed bag thus far. He’s lined up at outside corner and in the slot. Ricks has given up some catches and touchdowns, while also making some plays on the ball. He looks to be most natural when working outside – more of a fit for his longer stride – as opposed to sticking with quicker receivers out of the slot. Ricks can also continue to improve his tackling and play strength, though he has shown some flashes of physicality in run support.

The 2023 cornerback cycle is a bit convoluted. The group is not as deep with obvious top talents and five-star contenders as most recent cycles. Cormani McClain remains as On3’s top cornerback prospect, but the pecking order is far from settled. We’ll continue evaluating McClain, Ricks and the group as a whole. Given the murkiness at the position, it’s possible, if not highly likely that national all-star games will play a key role in how things ultimately shake out.