While everyone was preparing for bed Wednesday night, Alabama got a late-night recruiting surprise when former LSU All-American Eli Ricks announced he would be transferring to Alabama.

It had been rumored for weeks that Ricks would be coming to Tuscaloosa but it was confirmed by him on social media.

Ricks explained why he chose Alabama via 247Sports:

“Nick Saban is a great coach and Alabama is a great program, I’ve seen that close up. I know it’s going to be a challenge and there’s going to be competition wherever you go but you know me, I’m always ready to compete and I can’t wait to get going,” he said.

It also didn’t hurt that Ricks already had a relationship with quarterback Bryce Young.

“I talked a lot with Bryce and my parents talked with his parents throughout this process,” he said. “We’re very close, they’re like family and we had some great conversations about Alabama and what it’s like there.”

According to 247 Sports, Alabama is currently second in the country in the 2022 recruiting cycle.