Eli Ricks: LSU cornerback meets with the media for the first time

Eli Ricks is coming off a phenomenal freshman outing, cementing his role as a true shutdown cornerback on the LSU Tigers’ defense. On Tuesday, Ricks met with the media for the first time ahead of the 2021 season .

Heading into his second campaign, Ricks reflected on his biggest takeaways from his first year in Baton Rouge.

“How much technique mattered and how much of a difference it made coming in as a freshman raw and then the technique I had,” Ricks said. “Then it’s focusing on the plays and dialing in on the technique I’ve got.”

As long as they both stay healthy, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the young cornerback duo of Ricks and junior Derek Stingley. Stingley is widely considered one of the top defensive backs in the country, coming off a season where he was named a first-team All American.

Derrick Stingley and Eli Ricks’ tight-knit bond

Ricks says Stingley has become his go-to source for advice and the two LSU corners have built a tight-knit bond.

“Me and him talk about that every day almost,” Ricks said of Stingley as a mentor. “I always come to him and ask him since he has done it before, and he has done things I have aspirations for. We push each other a lot.

The duo has a chance to be the top cornerback unit in the SEC, possibly all of college football.

Ricks elaborated on the challenge they present for opposing offenses, while constantly pushing one another to thrive.

“It definitely is (a big advantage),” he said. “With two corners like us, the quarterbacks are going to have to throw it one way. Me and him really work hard to keep our games top-tier.”

When asked about the potential of the defense as a whole, the second-year LSU cornerback didn’t hold back.

“The best defense in the country,” Ricks said. “The sky is the limit. That is where our aspirations are. We want to be the best defense in the country.”

Eli Ricks on last year’s success as a freshman

With the abbreviated 2020 campaign, Ricks found himself thrown into the fire as a true freshman. Opposing offensive coordinators knew they wanted to avoid Stingley and took their chances with Ricks on the other side.

The 6-foot-2, physical corner used his frame and skillset to show he was capable of competing with the best. In just 10 games, Ricks had 20 tackles, nine pass deflections and four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns).

As he prepares for a bigger load this season, Ricks reflected on proving himself in live-action a year ago.

“I really wanted all the balls I could get last year,” Ricks said. “I wanted the most experience I could get. It was a 10 game season, so I wanted all the opportunities I can get. I wasn’t surprised at it being a freshman, and having Derek Stingley on the other side helps a lot. I was kind of expecting it a little bit.”