Ricketts, a standout defender for Lions Men's Soccer and a local hailing from Dayton, Tenn., has been one of the most decorated Bryan athletes in 2017-18, having garnered accolades for his efforts both on and off the pitch. Perhaps the most difficult recognition that Ricketts received this year, marking the second straight season it's been given to him, is CoSIDA Academic All-America® second team honors. This season, only one other collegiate athlete besides Ricketts was a repeat honoree of the second team. Last year, Ricketts was recognized by CoSIDA by making the All-District® First Team and continued to be noticed as he was named to the Second Team of the CoSIDA All-America® Men's Soccer College Division Team. Once again, in mid-November Ricketts earned a spot on the CoSIDA Academic All-District® Team in District 2 (AR, IL, IN, KY, LA, TN) of the College Division, which recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. As a member of the First-team Academic All-District®, Ricketts advanced to the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Team ballot and was selected to the second team.


In addition to CoSIDA, Ricketts was recognized by the Appalachian Athletic Conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Along with being named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year this season, Ricketts helped anchor the Lion's back line that allowed a 1.45 goal per game average, which is a top-5 average in the conference. His efforts led to him receiving AAC Defensive Player of the Week, NAIA National Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, and All-Conference First Team honors following last year's All-Conference Second Team designation.


Ricketts played a major role in the Lion's phenomenal season, which includes wins over three ranked opponents and one receiving votes, an impressive 14-6 overall record and 8-1 conference record, a No. 2 finish in the AAC regular-season, an appearance in the semifinal round of the conference tournament, and a 25th-place ranking in the final NAIA Coaches' top-25 poll.


In addition to his All-Conference First Team honors and Defensive Player of the Year crown, Ricketts made the All-Academic Team and was voted to the AAC Champion's of Character Team. Ricketts was one of eight Lions soccer players recognized as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete, which reflects excellence in the classroom. It was the second straight year that Ricketts earned the title of Scholar Athlete.