Last year, Alabama football fans were thrilled to discover that Eli Ricks would be joining the Crimson Tide.
It appeared as though he could be a genuine difference-maker for the defense, the type of talent that quarterbacks would avoid.
With veteran cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry at the other cornerback position, the Crimson Tide appeared poised for a successful season.
Ricks attended IMG Academy and played for LSU in 2020, where he recorded four interceptions
And was named to the All-American Freshman Team and the All-SEC Second Team.
Ricks did not make his first start for the Crimson Tide until the game against Mississippi State,
midway through the regular season and after Alabama had already suffered a heartbreaking last-second defeat to Tennessee.
Nick Saban said about Ricks at the time, "I believe he played well in the previous game, so hopefully he can build on that.
However, I believe it's crucial that he enters this game as himself and doesn't feel pressured to perform exceptionally because he's playing against a former squad.
I believe it is always psychologically essential for men to be able to concentrate on the task at hand and perform it well.