Louisiana State University knows a thing or two about defensive backs. Unquestionably home of the real Defensive Back University, the Tigers have recruited and developed elite cornerbacks and safeties like no other school in the country.
After signing the No. 1 cornerback in the 2019 recruiting class in Derek Stingley, who is already a star for the undefeated Tigers, head coach Ed Orgeron has officially landed another potential superstar defensive back.
Five-star cornerback Elias Ricks signed his letter of intent to play for LSU during National Signing Day on Wednesday, becoming one of the jewels of Orgeron's 2020 recruiting class.
Elias Ricks Signs With LSU
Ranked the No. 12 player and No. 2 cornerback prospect in the country, Ricks is one of the highest-rated defensive back prospects the Tigers have ever signed. Per 247Sports, he's rated higher than Tyrann Mathieu, Jamal Adams, Tre'Davious White, Eric Reid and Grant Delpit were coming out of high school.
Ricks chose LSU over programs like USC, Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia and Auburn. He's been planning to play his college football in Baton Rouge for almost a full year after committing to LSU on Christmas Day in 2018.
Elias Ricks Highlights
Standing 6-foot-2 and a solid 192 pounds, Ricks has the size and speed to stifle wide receivers instantly in the SEC. The Santa Ana, California, native transferred from Mater Dei High School this year to attend IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, which has produced NFL players like Bo Scarbrough and Josh Lambo.
LSU's undefeated season and College Football Playoff national championship under Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow undoubtedly helped keep Ricks locked to LSU football.
"We've just been more of a team than we were last year," Ricks told 247Sports. "Seeing how the guys came together and we're just a better team this year. It's crazy to see how much they grew compared to a lot of stuff. It was real fun just seeing that."
He joins a stacked LSU 2020 recruiting class that picked up a big prospect in four-star OT Marcus Dumervil, who announced on ESPN2 he'd be playing for Orgeron next season. Five-star TE Arik Gilbert and four-star QB Max Johnson also signed today, meaning LSU holds the No. 5 class in the country and No. 3 class in the SEC.
UPDATE (January 20, 2020): According to 247Sports' recruiting profile, Ricks enrolled at Louisiana State University for the 2020 spring semester and is officially in his new home in Baton Rouge.
This article was originally published December 18, 2019.
