Eli Ricks Bio
Eli Ricks is an American professional football cornerback who was born on September 26, 2001, in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He played college football for the LSU Tigers and later transferred to the Alabama Crimson Tide before entering the professional ranks. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, Ricks signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent and quickly contributed on defense. In his rookie season, he helped the Eagles capture a Super Bowl championship.
Early Life and Background
Elias Ricks grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where he first developed his passion for football. He originally attended Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, a program known for producing elite college talent. For his senior year, Ricks transferred to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, seeking a higher level of national competition.
At IMG Academy, Ricks continued to sharpen his skills as a cornerback and closed his high school career with 14 tackles and three interceptions as a senior. His performance earned him a selection to the 2020 All-American Bowl, one of the premier high school all-star games in the country. He was rated as a five-star recruit and ranked among the top defensive backs in his class.
Ricks committed to Louisiana State University to play college football, choosing the Tigers over several other top programs. His combination of size, athleticism, and ball skills made him one of the most sought-after defensive back prospects in the 2020 recruiting cycle.
Path to American Football
Ricks enrolled at LSU in 2020 and made an immediate impact on the Tigers’ secondary. As a true freshman, he earned a starting role and showed the instincts and length that had made him a five-star recruit. He finished his first college season with 20 tackles, four interceptions, and two touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top young cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference.
After his sophomore season at LSU, Ricks decided to continue his college career elsewhere. He transferred to the University of Alabama in 2022, joining one of the most decorated programs in college football. Playing one season for the Crimson Tide, he gained exposure to a different defensive scheme and added to his resume before declaring for the 2023 NFL draft.
Despite his decorated college background, Ricks went undrafted in 2023. He did not wait long to find an opportunity, signing as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles and beginning his professional journey in the National Football League.
Eli Ricks Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Ricks began his college career at LSU in 2020, starting as a true freshman and earning Second-team All-SEC honors for his play that season. He recorded 20 tackles, four interceptions, and two touchdowns, instantly becoming one of the most productive young cornerbacks in the conference. His early success set high expectations for the rest of his college career.
In 2022, Ricks transferred to Alabama, where he spent one season in the Crimson Tide defensive system. The move allowed him to compete in a new environment and prepare for the next step in his football journey. Following the 2022 season, he declared for the 2023 NFL draft and began his transition to the professional level.
Philadelphia Eagles Breakthrough (2023–2024)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL draft, Ricks signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 5, 2023. He impressed during training camp and the preseason, and on August 29 the Eagles announced that he had made the initial 53-man roster. That roster spot marked his official arrival as a professional cornerback.
As a rookie, Ricks played in 16 games for the Eagles, recording 19 total tackles and three passes defended during the regular season. He contributed on special teams and in the defensive rotation, earning the trust of his coaching staff throughout the year. His steady production helped Philadelphia maintain one of the league’s top defenses.
The 2024 season brought the defining moment of Ricks’ early career when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 in Super Bowl LIX, awarding Ricks a Super Bowl championship. Through the 2024 season, his career totals reached 21 total tackles and three pass deflections, reflecting a reliable rotational role.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2025–Present)
Ricks entered the 2025 season as part of the Philadelphia Eagles roster, continuing his role in the secondary. On August 26, 2025, he was waived by the Eagles as part of final roster cuts before the start of the regular season. The very next day, on August 27, he was re-signed to the team’s practice squad.
On September 10, Ricks was released by the Eagles, only to be re-signed to Philadelphia’s practice squad again on September 24. He was released once more on October 13, illustrating the volatile nature of life on the margins of an NFL roster. Through these moves, Ricks remained connected to the organization that gave him his professional start.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ricks is listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 188 pounds, giving him the length and frame that NFL teams covet in a press-man cornerback. His combination of size and ball skills allows him to match up with larger receivers on the outside, and his college interception totals highlighted his playmaking ability. Within the Eagles’ system, he has served as a depth piece who can step into larger roles when needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Ricks’ young career came in Super Bowl LIX, when the Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 and he earned a championship ring. His selection to the 2020 All-American Bowl and his Second-team All-SEC recognition as a true freshman also stand out as early milestones. Surviving multiple roster moves in 2025 underscores his perseverance at the professional level.
Eli Ricks Career Wins
Ricks’ verified team success centers on his role with the Philadelphia Eagles, highlighted by a Super Bowl LIX championship following the 2024 NFL season. His early college honors include Second-team All-SEC honors in 2020 at LSU. As a professional, he has not yet been credited with individual postseason awards, with his résumé shaped primarily by team achievements and consistent special-teams and defensive contributions.
Philadelphia Eagles Highlights
Ricks joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and made the initial 53-man roster that same year. As a rookie, he appeared in 16 games and recorded 19 total tackles with three passes defended, finishing his first NFL season with a Super Bowl championship. He continued his role into the 2024 season, with career totals of 21 tackles and three pass deflections through that campaign.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Ricks posted 20 tackles, four interceptions, and two touchdowns during his true freshman season at LSU in 2020, earning Second-team All-SEC recognition. His high school career at IMG Academy included 14 tackles and three interceptions as a senior, along with a selection to the 2020 All-American Bowl. These accomplishments laid the foundation for his professional opportunity.
Eli Ricks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ricks was raised in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and details about his immediate family are not widely confirmed in public sources.
Personal Life
Ricks is focused on his professional football career and has kept much of his personal life private. Publicly verified information about a spouse or children is not available.
2025 Season Performance
Ricks’ 2025 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles has been defined by a series of roster transactions rather than steady playing time. After being waived on August 26, 2025, he was quickly re-signed to the practice squad and later released again before being brought back once more. These moves reflect the day-to-day grind of holding a spot on the margins of an NFL roster.
Despite the lack of a stable role on the active roster, Ricks remains tied to the defending Super Bowl champions and continues to pursue an opportunity for in-game action. His prior experience in the Eagles’ defensive system and special teams gives him a familiar foundation as he works through the practice squad cycle.
Looking ahead, Ricks will aim to convert a practice-squad opportunity into another active-roster appearance and add to his growing list of professional experiences. His combination of size, length, and college production keeps him in position to compete for a longer-term role in Philadelphia or elsewhere in the league.