4-star RB Kevin Riley commits to Miami Hurricanes

Northport (Ala.) Tuscaloosa County four-star running back Kevin Riley has announced his commitment to Miami. He chose the Hurricanes after taking an official visit to Coral Gables last weekend.

Riley is the No. 81 overall prospect and No. 5 running back in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He is also the No. 7 player in Alabama.

“Miami stays recruiting me,” Riley told Stephen Wagner of CaneSport on June 15. “They’re always checking on me, always texting me to make sure I’m good more than other schools. They’re just always recruiting me, and they recruit hard. They’re talking to me more than anyone.”

“I like how they run their program,” he added. “I like how they run their offense. Watching them in the (spring game), it was fun to see. I feel like they can have a real program turnaround coming up in the (next few) years.”

For more Miami recruiting intel, check out CaneSport.

Landing Riley is a massive recruiting win for Miami

The 6-foot-0, 192-pound recruit is now the highest-ranked recruit in Miami’s 2024 recruiting class. He is also the third player to choose head coach Mario Cristobal and his staff this month, along with Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman four-star tight end Elija Lofton and Theodore (Ala.) three-star linebacker Cam Pruitt.

Multiple staffers from the Hurricanes recruited Riley to south Florida. They included running backs coach Tim Harris and offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Shannon Dawson.

“The people here are amazing and I’m walking away seeing how well they treated me and I’ll have to return the favor,” Riley told Izubee Charles of CaneSport on April 15 about his trip to Miami’s spring game.

“They’re showing me and letting me know that I’m their number one priority,” he added. “It’s not just like they’re telling me, they’re showing me that and trying to prove it to me too, and I trust them with that.”

Miami’s 2024 class now contains 12 players. It is led by Riley, Lofton and Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas four-star wide receiver Chance Robinson. Both Riley and Robinson are ranked in the top 125 of the On3 Industry Ranking.

Riley’s pledge elevated the Hurricanes’ group five spots to No. 21 in the 2024 On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings, as well as No. 3 in the ACC. Before his commitment, Miami ranked No. 26 in the country and No. 4 in the ACC.