Randy Ricks Season 2017

Entering 2017 season

Randy Ricks Career Stats  

Big body who has experience playing both linebacker and on the defensive line ... Originally signed with the Aztecs in 2012, but didn't join SDSU until the fall of 2015 ... Picked up Rocky Long's 3-3-5 defense quickly and started two games in 2015, and the first four last year until a foot injury at South Alabama sidelined him for the season ... Received a medical redshirt and was granted another year of eligibility ... Enters 2017 as the backup to Jay Henderson at the middle linebacker spot.

REDSHIRT SEASON (2016)
Had 11 tackles (eight solo) on the season in four starts, while adding three tackles for loss, a 7-yard sack, a forced fumble, two pass breakups and three quarterback hurries ... Started the first four games, before missing the rest of the season with a foot injury ... Made his third career start in the opener against New Hampshire, making a career-high five tackles (three solo), including a 7-yard sack (and TFL) ... Also added a pass breakup ... The five stops was tied for the second most on the team ... Had another good game in a start vs. California, registering three tackles (two solo), a forced fumble, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry ... Came up with two tackles (both solo), including a tackle for loss, pass breakup and a quarterback hurry at Northern Illinois ... Had one solo tackle in a start at South Alabama, exiting the game early with a foot injury ... Did not play in the UNLV game, having had surgery earlier in the week, and missed the final nine games as well.

JUNIOR SEASON (2015)
Played in nine games on in his first season at SDSU with two starts ... Had 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles ... Missed four games (Oct. 17-Nov. 14) with a broken toe ... Made his first Division I appearance in the opener against San Diego ... Had one of the team's three pass breakups ... Came up with his first four career tackles (one solo) at California in a reserve role ... Started for the first time of his career against South Alabama, making four assisted stops ... Was on the travel squad to Penn State, but did not play for the first time of his SDSU career ... Had a good game in a reserve role vs. Fresno State, making two tackles (both solo), a 12-yard sack (and tackle for loss) and a game-high two quarterback hurries ... The sack and TFL were each the first of his career ... Had another good outing at Hawai`i off the bench, making three tackles, including a 4-yard tackle for loss, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries ... Missed the SJSU game with an injury ... Also did not play against Utah State, Colorado State and Wyoming with the same injury ... Had a big game in his return from the toe injury at UNLV, making two tackles (one solo), including 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks, with a forced fumble and a pass breakup ... The forced fumble was the first of his career ... Had another good game vs. Nevada, making two tackles (one solo), including a 7-yard sack (and TFL) and a forced fumble for the second straight game ... Earned his second start of the season (and career) vs. Air Force in the Mountain West Championship game, where he had four tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss ... Made a solo stop and added a quarterback hurry off the bench in the Hawai`i Bowl against Cincinnati.

AT ARIZONA WESTERN CC (2013-14)
Spent two seasons at Arizona Western Community College after originally signing an NLI with the Aztecs in 2012 ... Posted 43 tackles, 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2014, helping the Matadors to a 11-1 overall record ... In 2013, made 36 tackles,16 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two recoveries and three pass breakups ... Named defensive MVP of the El Toro Bowl, recording three sacks, five tackles and a forced fumble ... A three-star recruit by both Rivals and 247sports ... Received a grade of 84 by 247sports ... Also received recruiting interest out of AWCC from Texas, UNLV, USC and Utah.

HIGH SCHOOL
Played both defensive end and tight end at Legacy High School ... Was a two-time all-league pick ... Had 33 tackles and eight sacks in 2011 ... A three-star recruit by 247Sports.com and a two-star recruit by Rivals and Scout out of high school ... Rated as the 54th-best weakside defensive end in the country by 247Sports and at No. 126 for defensive ends by Scout ... Got an 83 rating by 247Sports ... Also played basketball and was a member of the track and field team, competing in the shot put, discus throw and high jump.

PERSONAL
Randy Richard Ricks, Jr., was born May 29, 1994, in Pittsburgh, Pa. ... Son of Randy Ricks, Sr., and Olivia Walker ... Also received scholarship offers from Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah State and interest from Nebraska, Northern Arizona, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, UNLV and Utah ... Is majoring in social science.

SINGLE-GAME BESTS
Tackles: 5 vs. New Hampshire (9/3/16)
Tackles For Loss: 1.5 at UNLV (11/21/15)
Sacks: 1.0 vs. New Hampshire (9/3/16), vs. Nevada (11/28/15), vs. Fresno State (10/3/15)
Pass Breakups: 2 at Hawai`i (10/10/15)
Forced Fumbles: 1 vs. California (9/10/16), vs. Nevada (11/28/15), at UNLV (11/21/15)