2026 safety Yaheim Riley decommits from Houston

Austin (Texas) Anderson three-star safety Yaheim Riley has decommitted from Houston, he announced on Sunday.

Riley is coming off a visit to Texas this weekend. He was pledged to the Cougars since Dec. 23.

“After much thought and consideration, I have decided to de-commit from the University of Houston,” Riley wrote in a post on X. “I’m incredibly grateful to the coaching staff and the entire Houston family for the opportunity and support. This was not an easy decision, but I believe it’s the best step for my future. I ask that y’all respect my decision as I will be taking my official visits before deciding on my new home. I still plan on taking an official visit to Houston. I’m excited to explore new opportunities.”

The 6-foot, 175-pounder is the No. 653 overall prospect and No. 64 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 95 player in Texas.

As a junior for Anderson High, Riley logged 61 total tackles and an interception, according to MaxPreps. He’s managed over 130 tackles across his last two seasons. The Trojans won seven games in 2024.

Houston loses piece to 2026 class

With Riley no longer in the mix, Houston now has just four commits in its 2026 recruiting class, which ranks No. 22 in the nation, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

The pledge list still includes Houston Legacy SSS five-star quarterback Keisean Henderson, the nation’s No. 9 prospect and No. 3 QB. He committed last May and remains in the mix for head coach Willie Fritz, despite his recruitment blowing up throughout the year.

“The way (Fritz) moves, the way he’s able to pick up stuff, be a leader. Everywhere he went he’s always turned the program around,” Henderson told On3 in February. “Just watching that from the past couple of years when he was at Tulane, he flipped that program.”

Three other in-state recruits remain alongside Henderson heading into the back half of April: Port Neches-Grove three-star interior offensive lineman Aaron Wolford, Lewisville three-star defensive lineman Xavier Fleming and Port Arthur Memorial three-star wide receiver Keavon Roberts.

While early, the class still ranks No. 2 in the Big 12, behind just Arizona State. Last cycle, the Cougars inked just the No. 52 class overall.