Alabama CB, transfer from LSU, signs free agent deal

A high-profile transfer with a five-star recruiting profile and SEC experience, Eli Ricks was a big score for Alabama via the portal last offseason.

After going undrafted Saturday, the cornerback appears to have a landing spot in the free-agent market. Amid reports he was headed to Philadelphia, Ricks posted “#FlyEaglesFly” to Twitter on Saturday night.

It marked the end of a disappointing draft that saw 37 cornerbacks selected without Ricks hearing his name called.

Ricks entered the draft ranked 27th among cornerbacks in ESPN’s prospect assessment.

As a junior, Ricks started five games at Alabama after transferring from an SEC West rival.

Coming from LSU, Ricks had the prototypical size and experience to be a plug-and-play member of Alabama’s secondary but he didn’t earn his first start until the Mississippi State game at the end of October. He got the nod in five of the final six games of the season after breaking up four passes against Mississippi State.

Ricks finished his season with 13 tackles (one for a loss) with all four pass breakups coming in the Mississippi State win.

Before Alabama, Ricks was a five-star recruit coming out of IMG Academy by way of Southern California. Landing at LSU a year after the Tigers won the national title, Ricks was an FWAA freshman All-American with four interceptions his rookie season. Injury limited his second year in Baton Rouge before transferring to Alabama that offseason.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.