Texas A&M cornerback Dezz Ricks says a torn labrum limited him throughout 2025, adding context to his uneven play before a sharp 2026 start in coverage.
Texas A&M cornerback Dezz Ricks has opened the 2026 season looking like a different player.
Now, the senior’s explanation for his uneven 2025 campaign provides important context: He says he played the entire season with a torn labrum that severely restricted his shoulder.
“I couldn’t raise my arm,” Ricks told reporters ahead of Texas A&M’s SEC opener against Kentucky.
That’s a significant limitation for any defensive back. Cornerbacks repeatedly extend their arms to disrupt routes, fight through blocks and contest passes.
Ricks continued playing, but the injury helps explain why the former five-star prospect didn’t consistently display the coverage ability expected of him last season.
Healthy again, Ricks has quickly reclaimed a leading role in Mike Elko’s secondary. Through victories over Missouri State and Arizona State, he has surrendered only one reception for one yard on five targets, according to Pro Football Focus.
His 73.7 coverage grade ranks second among Texas A&M cornerbacks.
Julio Humphrey has been even better. The fellow senior owns an 83.1 coverage grade and has emerged as a playmaker opposite Ricks.
Humphrey delivered one of the defining moments in the Aggies’ 48-20 victory over Arizona State by returning an interception for a touchdown during a decisive fourth quarter.
Together, Ricks and Humphrey give new defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill a promising veteran tandem as conference play begins.
They’ll need to maintain that standard, however, because the secondary’s depth has already been tested.
Tennessee transfer Rickey Gibson allowed two catches for 52 yards against Arizona State and earned a 42.8 PFF coverage grade.
That performance increases the importance of consistent play from Ricks, Humphrey and nickel defenders Jordan Shaw and Bravion Rogers.
Ricks’ return to form also arrives at an important point in his career. He transferred to Texas A&M from Alabama before the 2024 season and has the physical tools to attract NFL attention. A full season of healthy, dependable coverage would strengthen that case considerably.
The next examination comes Saturday when No. 9 Texas A&M hosts Kentucky at Kyle Field. It’s the Aggies’ SEC opener and their final game before a trip to LSU.
Last year, Ricks tried to compete with one arm functioning properly. This season, he’s healthy ... and through two games, opposing quarterbacks have found almost nothing when throwing in his direction.
