Report: Alabama CB Eli Ricks expected to sign with Eagles as UDFA
Former Alabama defensive back Eli Ricks is expected to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, according to On3 reporter Matt Zenitz. This seems to be a good landing spot for the former LSU corner. It’s still unfortunate that he wasn’t taken after being projected to go in the top 10 prior to the start of the 2022 season.
With Ricks expected to sign with Philadelphia, Alabama has now seen 13 of its former players land in the NFL. Of those, 10 were drafted with three being signed as undrafted free agents. The drafted list includes three Day 1 picks, five Day 2 picks and two Day 3 selections. Here are those names:
- QB Bryce Young – Panthers (No. 1)
- EDGE Will Anderson – Texans (No. 3)
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Lions (No. 12)
- DB Brian Branch – Lions (No. 45)
- OL Tyler Steen – Eagles (No. 65)
- DL Byron Young – Raiders (No. 70)
- DB Jordan Battle – Bengals (No. 95)
- TE Cameron Latu – 49ers (No. 101)
- LB Henry To’oTo’o – Texans (No. 167)
- DB DeMarcco Hellams – Falcons (No. 224)
You’ve also got offensive lineman Emil Ekiyor Jr. and defensive lineman DJ Dale signing undrafted free agent contracts with the Indianapolis Colts and Buffalo Bills, respectively. We’re still waiting to hear about the landing spots with a few other Alabama players, including linebacker Jaylen Moody and tight end Kendall Randolph.
Ricks spent his first two seasons at LSU before transferring to Alabama prior to the 2022 season. Injuries slowed him down in each of his three years in college, but he was still a good player. For the Tigers, the 6-foot-2, 188-pound cornerback totaled 31 tackles, a tackle for loss, five interceptions (two pick-sixes) and six pass deflections.
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He didn’t get his first start at Alabama until the Mississippi State game in Week 8, but he was lights out in that performance. In 2022, Ricks totaled 13 tackles, a tackle for loss and four pass deflections for the Crimson Tide while playing 383 snaps and starting five games. His four interceptions as a freshman at LSU was easily his best season.
Many — myself included — believe Ricks should’ve returned to Alabama for his senior year, but he elected to leave early for the NFL. That decision might’ve cost him some money on the front end, but Ricks is betting on himself. Hopefully, he’s able to make it work with the Eagles. It’s an uphill battle trying to make it as an undrafted free agent, but it’s not impossible.
Coming out of IMG Academy in Bradenton (Fla.) in 2020, Ricks was rated as a five-star recruit. He also checked in as the No. 18 player nationally, No. 2 cornerback and No. 3 player from the state of Florida, according to the 2020 On3 Industry Rankings.
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