Former Alabama defensive back Eli Ricks has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent, as confirmed on social media (Touchdown Alabama). Ricks, who also played for LSU, was at the top of many early 2023 NFL draft boards prior to going undrafted (Eagles Wire).
Among all NFL prospects in this week’s draft, Ricks was considered a wildcard (Roll Bama Roll). He was a top-20 national recruit while at LSU, before moving to Alabama, and transformed himself into a promising potential Day 2 pick (The Wenatchee World). In his 2023 NFL Draft profile, Ricks was noted for his impressive height (6’2″) and weight (188 lbs), as well as his solid overall performance in various tests (Bleacher Report).
Ricks was part of Alabama’s football team when they achieved a bounce-back win against Mississippi State in October 2022, with his performance on defense contributing to the victory (The Athletic). However, his time with the team was not without setbacks, as he sustained an injury during a game against Ole Miss in November 2022 (Tuscaloosa News).
Now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, Ricks will have an opportunity to showcase his skills as a cornerback in the NFL, continuing his journey from a top recruit to a professional football player.