LSU Football: Recruiting analysts predict Elias Ricks will stay in Baton Rouge

There have been some rumors lately that LSU football defensive back Elias Ricks could be hitting the transfer portal.

Ricks, a former five-star recruit who was rated as the No. 14 overall player in the 2020 recruiting class (247Sports composite), just finished his first season with the Tigers.

Rumors are rampant in college football. Most of the time there’s nothing to them — it’s just noise.

But the rumors surrounding Ricks are strong enough that a pair of Rivals recruiting analysts took time this week to give their take on what will happen with this situation.

Rivals analysts predict good news for LSU Football

Rivals recruiting analysts Mike Farrell and Adam Gorney gave their take on Thursday on whether or not Ricks will leave Baton Rouge.

Farrell and Gorney both think that Ricks ultimately ends up staying. Farrell pointed to the fact that Ricks’ family moved to Baton Rouge (from California) to be near the young defensive back.

Gorney wasn’t quite as optimistic, though he still thinks LSU holds onto Ricks. Gorney noted that Ricks has been eyeing Ohio State lately.

“I’ve now heard from multiple sources that Ricks has his eye on Ohio State and is seriously considering a portal move,” wrote Gorney.

That obviously doesn’t sound good. But Gorney also provided a positive update.

“I also heard from another solid source that he believes, in the end, Ricks stays in Baton Rouge,” explained Gorney.

He added, “at this point, I believe them”.

This is a fluid situation. Things could obviously change. But for now, it sounds like Ricks will wearing an LSU uniform in 2021.