The Inside Scoop: LSU, Alabama leading early for newly reclassified 2023 CB Desmond Ricks

On3 imageby:Keegan Pope10/24/22

bykeeganpope

Five-star Chesapeake (Va.) IMG Academy cornerback Desmond Ricks announced on Saturday that he was reclassifying into the 2023 class, and his recruitment will now hit warp speed over the next few months.

Ricks was the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2024 On3 Consensus, and he’s expected to maintain five-star status once all four major recruiting sites update their rankings. (On3 tabs him as the country’s No. 23 overall prospect this cycle after his reclassification.) But the question now becomes, which programs have an edge with Ricks’ timeline sped up by potentially an entire year.

“One thing I can say is he does not plan to enroll early,” On3 Director of Recruiting Chad Simmons said Monday during the Inside Scoop recruiting show. “So that doesn’t mean that he will definitely sign in December. He may go to February, or he may even go after February. There is no time limit where he has to sign. If I had to guess right now, I’d say he doesn’t sign in December. He takes a little more time; he’s not a mid-year guy and won’t graduate out of high school until the spring of 2023.

… When you mention what schools are involved, I think it starts with two SEC powers: LSU and Alabama. I think LSU and Alabama have put themselves in great positions to compete for his signature when that time comes, whether it’s December, February or whenever that happens. I think the connection [is strong] with the staff at LSU, with Robert Steeples and Matt House, and then Alabama with T-Rob [Travaris Robertson], Pete Golding, and Nick Saban. He’s been on both campus for games this fall; he’s mentioned going back to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl in December.”

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