Desmond Ricks is Alabama-bound.

The nation’s No. 2 cornerback, the final piece of the puzzle for Nick Saban’s 2023 recruiting class, announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide on Thursday evening. He is the Tide’s 8th 5-star recruit in the cycle and seals the country’s No. 1 recruiting class.

Along with the Tide, Ricks, the younger brother of Alabama cornerback Eli Ricks, was considering Florida and LSU, his brother’s former program. He visited Tuscaloosa on Nov. 26 and Gainesville on Dec. 2 before heading to Baton Rouge on Dec. 16.

He didn’t sign an NLI on the 1st day of the Early Signing Period on Wednesday, opting instead to make his decision on Thursday. And, in the end, it was good news for Saban and the Crimson Tide as he announced his commitment to the program.

Shortly after his announcement, Alabama’s Twitter account posted a welcome message for Ricks with his NLI officially in place:

Nick Saban simply continues to recruit at a high level, and this latest class proves it.