Scoop: Five-star cornerback Desmond Ricks locks in Gators official visit
Although the Gators missed out on Cormani McClain, they are still in play for another five-star cornerback in the class of 2023.
Desmond Ricks, who recently reclassified and is now the No. 2-ranked cornerback, has scheduled his official visit to the University of Florida. That multi-day visit in Gainesville is scheduled for Dec. 2, his mother told Gators Online on Sunday afternoon.
The IMG Academy star was a five-star prospect and the No. 1-ranked cornerback in the 2024 class, and now, he is the second-ranked cornerback behind McClain and remains a five-star prospect despite moving up a class. He is also the No. 23 prospect overall in the 2023 On300.
According to On3 Director of Recruiting, Chad Simmons, Alabama and LSU are likely in the best spot for Ricks. Florida and Miami, however, are on the short list as well, especially the Gators when you consider today’s news at Gators Online.
Billy Napier’s staff has hosted the senior three times this year, including for the LSU game on Oct. 15. Ricks was also in town for Friday Night Lights and made his way to campus in late January. You can expect the Gators to ultimately conduct a few in-home visits as well.
The Corey Raymond effect
As expected, a major appeal regarding UF is the presence of cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond. Billy Napier, Patrick Toney and others are involved, but Ricks knows Raymond could catapult his skill set to new heights and that early playing time is available as well.
Due to UF’s recent recruiting success at IMG, Ricks also said Florida would be a “home away from home” due to the familiar faces within the program. Kamari Wilson and Knijeah Harris are among those making recruiting pitches in addition to the staff.
“It was great. It was a very loud atmosphere and I enjoyed it a lot,” Ricks recently told Gators Online. “I definitely see the d-line getting after it. The DB room has a little bit of work to do obviously as you saw tonight, but I think guys like me can help fix that.”
As of today, UF holds DB commitments from On3 Consensus four-star prospects Dijon Johnson, Sharif Denson, Jordan Castell, Aaron Gates and Ja’Keem Jackson, as well as On3 four-star Bryce Thornton.
Scouting Report on Desmond Ricks
“Desmond Ricks became a national prospect while starring on a loaded defense at IMG Academy as an underclassman last fall. The Chesapeake, Virginia native was a standout defender on a unit that was stocked with blue-chip prospects from the 2022 cycle. He showed advanced polish as a cover corner in both games and camp settings,” said Charles Power, On3’s Director of Scouting and Rankings.
“Ricks in at over 6-foot-1, 180 pounds with average length for his stature. He has registered good straight-line speed and high-end explosion in combine settings, most recently running an electronically-timed 4.53 second 40-yard dash while jumping 38.7 inches in the vertical and 10’4″ in the broad jump at IMG’s pro day in the spring.
“The physical traits and early showings against top competition both alongside and against other touted prospects made Ricks one of the top 2024 prospects early in the cycle. It’s also worth noting Ricks was older for the 2024 cycle, having turned 18 years-old in October. He’s the same age as most of his new classmates in the 2023 cycle.”
Stay tuned to Gators Online.
