Texas A&M's cornerback rotation is once again led by senior Dezz Ricks, who, after transferring from Alabama before the 2024 season, went from one of the lowest-rated defenders on the roster to a future NFL draft selection with an extremely bright future.
Thanks to coach Mike Elko, new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill, and cornerbacks coach Bryant Gross-Armiento, Ricks has played at an elite level in the first two games, allowing just one reception for one yard in five targets in blowout wins over Missouri State and Arizona State.
Per Pro Football Focus, Ricks' 73.7 coverage grade ranks second only to fellow senior starting cornerback Julio Humphrey (83.1), who ranks fifth nationally in PFF's updated cornerback rankings.
On Tuesday, Dezz Ricks,
along with starting defensive end T.J. Searcy, spoke to the local media before the Aggies host Kentucky in Week 3, and the former five-star cornerback revealed that he dealt with a serious upper-body injury during the 2025 season, reportedly playing through a torn labrum all year.
“I couldn’t raise my arm.”
Like former starting linebacker Scooby Williams, who played through a torn meniscus during the 2024 season, it's important to remember that Texas A&M's culture under Mike Elko has developed some of the toughest players in the country, and while Dezz Ricks had his moments last season, his struggles in coverage make sense.
More importantly, Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson struggled in coverage vs. Arizona State, meaning Dezz Ricks and Julio Humphrey will need to keep playing at a high level, along with nickels Jordan Shaw and Bravion Rogers, or the Aggie secondary will not live up to its elite potential.
Texas A&M cornerback Dezz Ricks met with the media today and spoke about Kentucky, being healthy and a lot more. pic.twitter.com/Mvu0jmMt70
— Carter Karels (@CarterKarels) September 15, 2026
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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: 'I couldn't raise my arm': Texas A&M CB reveals 2025 injury issues
