Ricks trending to LSU on On3 RPM ahead of UF visit

Five-star IMG Academy (Fla.) cornerback Desmond Ricks was in Baton Rouge to see LSU knock off a Top 10 team in Alabama this past weekend.

With a commitment date set for December 23, the Tigers have now taken a commanding lead in the race to land him, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM).

After an expert pick in LSU’s favor from On3 national recruiting analyst Sam Spiegelman, as well as updates from around the recruiting industry, the RPM now gives Brian Kelly and Co. an 84.9-percent chance of securing his commitment. Alabama (5.8%), Florida (3.2%) and Miami (2.7%) are the next three teams on the On3 RPM list.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Ricks is the No. 12 overall prospect in the 2023 class, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He ranks as the nation’s No. 2 cornerback and the No. 4 senior recruit in the state of Florida.

LSU’s visit slate gives the Tigers the early edge

When it comes to how many times a college has gotten Ricks to campus during the 2022 calendar year, the LSU football staff leads the way.

After Ricks and his family took in a trip to Baton Rouge this past weekend for the win over Alabama, the Tigers have now hosted Ricks four times. He visited once in March, again in June, then twice for games this season.

With an official visit set for December 17, the Tigers will host Ricks five times before he reveals his college decision during the Early Signing Period (December 23).

Ricks will visit Gainesville before kicking off his official visits

On Saturday, the five-star cornerback is slated to be at Florida for the SEC East matchup with South Carolina.

The Gators, one of three teams slated to receive an official visit before the Early Signing Period, have already gotten Ricks on campus in January, again in July, and for a game in October – when the five-star was in the stands to see LSU knock off the Gators in a 45-35 win in The Swamp.

With a trip to Florida this weekend, Ricks will have visited campus four times. With a fifth visit coming in December, the Gators are expected to match the Tigers with five campus visits each.

Following Alabama’s official visit later this month, the Tide will have gotten Ricks to campus four times: once in March, once in April, for a game in September and then for the regular season finale against Auburn.

The official visit slate is locked in

While Ricks has made unofficial visits to LSU, Florida and Alabama this season, he’s saved his trio of official visits until the lead up to the Early Signing Period.

Ricks will take an official visit to Alabama for the Iron Bowl on November 25, then will travel back to Gainesville for his official visit at Florida on December 2.

On December 17, Ricks will head to Baton Rouge for his official visit. From there, the NCAA’s dead period kicks in, meaning college coaches can no longer have in-person contact with a prospect. That means LSU will be the final team to see Ricks and his family face-to-face before he settles into decision mode.

Ricks plans to announce his college commitment on December 23, which comes less than a week after his final visit to LSU.

The Buzz: On3 National Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons

“Desmond Ricks and his family were in Baton Rouge last weekend for LSU’s dramatic win over Alabama. Ricks is expected at Florida this weekend, but his parents are not expected to be there with him. Is that important? Not really. They will be there for the official visit early in December, but his family is part of this and each time the coaches get face time with them is very important. The buzz before the visit to LSU was strong around the Tigers and it may be stronger afterward. The connection with Robert Steeples, the staff in Baton Rouge and the opportunity Ricks sees to play there has positioned LSU as the team to beat. Alabama, Florida and LSU are the three finalists.” – Simmons

Desmond Ricks Scouting Summary

“Big, athletic corner who stars on one of the most talented defenses in high school football. Has good stature for the position at over 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds heading into his junior season. Registers as a strong athlete in the combine setting. Was a key player on IMG Academy’s talented defense as a sophomore in addition to seeing significant time as a freshman. A smooth mover with advanced technical ability. Battle-tested against top wide receivers both in practice at IMG and in playing a national schedule throughout the fall. Older for the class, turning 18 years old in the middle of his junior season.” — Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings