Alabama football adds 5-star CB Desmond Ricks to 2023 signing class

If you thought that Wednesday marked the conclusion of Alabama football’s 2023 signing class, think again.

Why you ask? Well, that is because the Crimson Tide landed one of the biggest commitments of the entire cycle Thursday night in Desmond Ricks. Ricks, a five-star cornerback out of national power IMG Academy in Florida, announced his commitment to Alabama over an all-SEC list of finalists that also included Florida and LSU.

Alabama football adds 5-star CB Desmond Ricks to 2023 signing class

Originally in the 2024 class, Ricks recently reclassified to the 2023 cycle where the five-star is considered as the nation’s No. 2 overall cornerback according to the 247Sports Composite, sitting behind only five-star Miami commit Cormani McClain in that conversation.

Ricks is the second cornerback commitment of Alabama football’s top ranked 2023 signing class, where he joins four-star in-state product Jahlil Hurley, a name who could very easily be a five-star himself.

Speaking of five-stars as well, Ricks is the Crimson Tide’s seventh of this cycle alone, with the IMG product joining Caleb Downs, Keon Keeley, Kadyn Proctor, James Smith, Qua Russaw, and Justice Haynes. Of those seven, five have also been added during the month of December.

Ricks also continues the recent pipeline from IMG Academy to Tuscaloosa as the five-star joins a list of names from recent years that includes Evan Neal, JC Latham, Ja’Corey Brooks, Tyler Booker, and more to commit to the Crimson Tide and go on to have success.

With the addition of Ricks, this 2023 Alabama class further cements itself as the nation’s best this cycle, and continues to make a case for one of the best we have seen in recent memory. As for Ricks in particular, the five-star is easily a name that could make a major impact next season for the Crimson Tide, even as a freshman.