Former Alabama cornerback gets pick-6 in his pro debut

NFL teams picked 10 players from Alabama during the 2023 draft. Cornerback Eli Ricks wasn’t one of them.

After being passed over following his only season with the Crimson Tide, Ricks signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a rookie free agent.

In his first pro game on Saturday night, Ricks made a play worthy of a top pick.

Ricks intercepted Baltimore Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown and returned the pick 31 yards for a touchdown with 7:03 left in an NFL preseason game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore.

Ricks’ touchdown reduced the Ravens’ lead to one point. But Baltimore turned back Philadelphia’s 2-point conversion attempt and held on for a 20-19 victory.

The Ravens posted their 24th consecutive preseason victory. They haven’t lost an exhibition game since Sept. 3, 2015.

Ricks also made a tackle and broke up another pass in his pro debut.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.