Eli Ricks facts for kids
| No. 23 – Philadelphia Eagles | |||||
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | September 26, 2001 Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 188 lb (85 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) |
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| College: | |||||
| Undrafted: | 2023 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Roster status: | Active | ||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Elias Ricks (born September 26, 2001) is an American professional football player. He plays as a cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). Before joining the Eagles, he played college football for the LSU Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. He joined the Eagles in 2023.
Eli Ricks' Early Life and High School Football
Eli Ricks grew up in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He first went to Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. Later, he moved to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, for his last year of high school.
During his senior year, Eli showed he was a strong player. He made 14 tackles and caught three interceptions. An interception is when a defensive player catches a pass meant for an offensive player. Eli was chosen to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl. This is a special game for the best high school football players. He was considered a "five-star recruit," meaning he was one of the top players in the country. Eli decided to play college football at Louisiana State University (LSU).
College Football Career
Eli Ricks started playing for the LSU Tigers in 2020. He was a starter right away in his first year. This is called being a "true freshman." He had a great first season. He made 20 tackles, caught four interceptions, and scored two touchdowns.
In 2022, Eli moved to the University of Alabama to play for the Crimson Tide. He played one season there. After that, he decided to enter the 2023 NFL draft. This is where NFL teams pick new players. Eli was not chosen in the draft.
Eli Ricks in the NFL
Even though Eli Ricks was not picked in the 2023 NFL Draft, he still got a chance to play professionally. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him on May 5, 2023. This means they offered him a contract as an "undrafted free agent."
On August 29, 2023, the Eagles announced that Eli had made their main team roster. This is a big achievement for a rookie player. In his first year, Eli played in 16 games. He made 19 total tackles and defended three passes. Eli Ricks became a Super Bowl champion when the Eagles won Super Bowl LIX. They defeated the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 40–22.
