IMG CB Desmond Ricks on Gators' Corey Raymond: 'He's The Best Doing It'

Elite IMG Academy cornerback Desmond Ricks recaps his latest visit with the Florida Gators.

Photo: Corey Raymond; Credit: Zach Goodall

Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy 2024 cornerback Desmond Ricks has a simple priority when it comes to selecting his future college.

"My development is the No. 1 thing that I'm looking for from a school," Ricks told AllGators following his visit to Florida this past weekend. 

Which, Ricks explained, is why he chose to visit the Gators over every other school that came calling during July's one-week window of in-person recruiting. 

Ricks is intrigued by what UF cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond has to offer when it comes to developing defensive backs. He made that much clear prior to his visit while previewing the trip earlier in July, and shared a similar sentiment when his time in Gainesville for the weekend was over.

"Coach Raymond is the reason I'm here," Ricks said. "Everybody else is having their cookout today, but I decided to come here to see coach Raymond because he's the best doing it ... with him being known for developing players."

The trip marked Ricks' second to Florida this year, but his first since January, and in that stretch, new head coach Billy Napier has made more drastic changes to how the program operates which Ricks was able to observe over the weekend. 

He also enjoyed touring the Gators' nearly complete Heavener Football Training Center, which had much construction remaining when Ricks was last on campus.

"It meant a lot to me and my family, seeing him at the door. [He's] a real down-to-Earth guy," Ricks said of Napier. "You can see that there's a change in Gainesville."

Ricks, viewed as the No. 1 corner and No. 2 overall prospect in the class of 2024 by the On3 Sports consensus, intends to take unofficial visits to LSU, Miami and Alabama games this upcoming season, and potentially one to a Florida game as well.

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