SEC Football: Looking at the finalists for five-star CB Desmond Ricks

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 08: The SEC logo is pictured during a game between the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Tiger Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - OCTOBER 08: The SEC logo is pictured during a game between the LSU Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Tiger Stadium on October 08, 2022 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

One of the nation’s top cornerbacks in the 2023 class, Desmond Ricks recently released a final list that included three SEC Football schools, as well as a commitment date of December 23.

A five-star prospect out of IMG Academy in Florida, Ricks was originally considered as the top cornerback in the 2024 class, prior to reclassifying to the 2023 class earlier this fall. A talented cornerback at 6-foot-1, Ricks projects to be an impact player at the position from day one at the collegiate level, and will certainly be a massive addition to whichever team lands his commitment.

So, looking at those teams, who are the three SEC Football finalists for Ricks, and what would the five-star bring to each in 2023?

Looking at the SEC Football finalists for five-star CB Desmond Ricks

Beginning with the three finalists, Ricks is set to make his decision later this year on December 23 between either Alabama, Florida, or LSU.

Starting with Alabama, the Crimson Tide currently hold the No. 1 ranked 2023 recruiting class in both the SEC and nationally, one that has only one cornerback commit in five-star Jahlil Hurley. Should Ricks commit to the Crimson Tide, he would only further cement Alabama’s 2023 class atop the rankings, with the five-star then joining what would be a loaded cornerback room in Tuscaloosa in 2023 alongside Hurley, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold, and more.

As for Florida, the Gators have had success when it comes to in-state recruiting during the 2023 cycle, and potentially adding Ricks would likely be the biggest win on the recruiting trail of the Billy Napier era in Gainesville so far. Should he commit to Florida, Ricks would be the Gators third cornerback commit in the 2023 class joining Ja’Keem Jackson and Sharif Denson, and would likely be set to make a significant impact in Gainesville next season.

Finishing with LSU, the Tigers also sport one of SEC Football’s top 2023 classes at the moment, one that holds three cornerback commits in four-star Daylen Austin, as well as three-stars Jeremiah Hughes and Ashton Stamps. Not only would a potential addition of Ricks be LSU’s fourth commit at the position, but the five-star would also be the Tigers highest-rated 2023 commit, as well as their highest-rated defensive back commit since Eli Ricks in 2020, one who could potentially start in Baton Rouge from day one.

Where will Ricks commit later this year? Alabama, Florida, or LSU?