Alabama cornerback Eli Ricks arrested on traffic, marijuana charges in Mississippi

Alabama football defensive back Eli Ricks was arrested in Mississippi on Sunday and charged with speeding, having no insurance, and a first offense of marijuana possession.

Ricks was released on a $0 bond, according to Jones Co. (Miss.) Sheriff's Office, which confirmed that this was the player's first marijuana possession charge.

The cornerback arrived at Alabama this offseason from LSU as one of the premier players in the college football transfer portal for the 2022 cycle.

One of the SEC's best young DBs

Ricks had one interception in six games a year ago before having shoulder surgery. He earned freshman All-SEC honors from the league's coaches in 2020 after intercepting four passes, returning two of them for touchdowns, in 10 games at LSU.

One of Ricks' impactful interceptions came in LSU's statement upset over then No. 10 Florida, a game that all but ended the Gators' College Football Playoff hopes.

Ricks emerged as a top 5 player in the transfer portal this season and was regarded by analysts as the best non-quarterback transfer.

Ricks impresses Nick Saban

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban commended Ricks for being able to quickly learn the Crimson Tide's system and acclimate to the team.

“The biggest thing for Eli is learning the system,” Saban said after the spring game. “He’s like a guy that just got here, so for him to be able to learn the system, and sometimes it’s even more difficult for guys that’s played in a system.

"So they knew a system, now they’ve gotta sort of enturbulate some of the things that they did to some of the things that we’re doing, and we call it something different. So you’ve gotta work through sort of some of that learning curve with them.

"But he’s a very conscientious guy and works hard at it, takes coaching well, wants to please.”

Ricks was a former 5-star prospect and a top 15 recruit in the 2020 cycle from IMG Academy in south Florida.

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