In-state '24 RB flips to Alabama

Tuscaloosa County High School running back Kevin Riley did not need a long time after officially visiting Alabama over the weekend to make his final decision.

On Wednesday, the first day of the Early Signing Period, the in-state running back announced that he had flipped to Nick Saban‘s program. Riley had been committed to the Miami Hurricanes since June 19. He had shut down his recruitment earlier this month, but decided to keep it open for a final push from Alabama.

That final push paid off in a big way for the Crimson Tide.

“Alabama is a program where you go to be developed,” Riley told BamaOnLine when explaining his decision. “I think practicing against the best can make you the best. There’s a good chance of me becoming a better player.”

Kevin Riley also cited the presence of running backs coach Robert Gillespie as a factor in his commitment to Bama.

“He played a good part of it,” Riley said of how much Gillespie factored into his final decision. “Even though I was committed to Miami, he still kept that contact with me down the road.”

Gillespie and Nick Saban made a stop to see Riley during the open contact period. He has established a good relationship with Gillespie throughout the recruiting process as Bama extended him an offer all the way back in October 2022.

The continued pursuit from Alabama earned them an official visit the final weekend before Early Signing Period.

“After the visit, it’s just kind of a place in my heart where it felt like Bama was the place I needed to be,” Riley said.”

A product of Tuscaloosa County High School, Riley is excited to represent his hometown at the next level.

“It means a lot,” Riley said. “Especially knowing that you’re in the backyard of Tuscaloosa and it’s a great thing for all my family and friends to show support.”

Alabama impressed Kevin Riley on his recent official visit

In a conversation with BamaOnLine after his this past weekend, Riley had nothing but positive things to say about the experience.

“It was good. Everything went good,” Riley told BOL on Sunday night. “Something that stood out was as the visit went and the more that Coach [Robert Gillespie] and Nick Saban were talking to me, everything stood out and came into place. They were telling me what’s happening there and at that university.

“Another thing that stood out is the people and the connections they have at the university. A lot of people have good relationships with the academic departments. I know if I ever needed help with anything, I know the coaching staff or anybody else at that university would be willing to help me.

“For me, it was just the experience and the opportunity that they’re giving me to play at the greatest college football program,” Riley continued. “That’s another thing to look at. You can’t take an opportunity like this for granted… you’ve got to look at life outside of football that comes with that.”

According to the 2024 On3 Industry Rankings, Kevin Riley is the No. 73 overall prospect in this recruiting cycle. He also checks in as the third-ranked running back, as well as the No. 7 senior prospect in the state of Alabama.

Along with adding Riley, the Tide earned a commitment from On300 EDGE Jayshawn Ross on Monday night. They also added defensive lineman Steve Mboumoua and former Texas commit Aeryn Hampton to the fold on Wednesday. Bama is now up to 25 total recruits in their 2024 class, which currently checks in at No. 2 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

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