The Alabama football program and Nick Saban made a big splash on Wednesday, poaching a four-star running back from the Miami Hurricanes via the recruiting circuit. Per national recruiting expert Hayes Fawcett, the Crimson Tide have landed in-state running back Kevin Riley.
BREAKING: Four-Star RB Kevin Riley tells me he has Flipped from Miami to Alabama!
The 6’0 195 RB from North Port, AL had been Committed to the Hurricanes since June
Riley ranks as the No. 3 RB ‘24 Class 🐘https://t.co/VxtOZoqcEo pic.twitter.com/BcpAHJ1pjZ
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 20, 2023
The Alabama football program has signed 22 commits in the class of 2024, earning them the second-highest-ranked recruiting class, per 247Sports. Riley is the only running back to commit to the Crimson Tide through a high school or the transfer portal.
Kevin Riley: Star at Tuscaloosa County to Join Alabama Crimson Tide
Riley, the fifth-ranked running back in the upcoming class per 247Sports, is a five-foot-eleven, 195-pound, four-star prospect from Northport, Alabama. He played his high school ball at Tuscaloosa Country, rushing for 1,306 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior. He earned praise for a 277-yard performance against Spain Park in 2022. National recruiting analyst Cooper Petagna praises Riley for his patience and vision. Additionally, Riley earns high marks for his ability to change speeds and play through contact as a physical runner. The youngster projects to fill in nicely as an early down back.
Alabama Football: 2024 Running Back Room
Kevin Riley will join an Alabama Crimson Tide running back room that continues to produce high-end NFL talent. Current NFL star rushers Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, and Jahmyr Gibbs played their college ball in Tuscaloosa. Senior running back Jase McClellan rushed for 803 yards and six scores this season but could return next season as he projects as a late-round selection for the 2024 NFL draft.
Fellow senior rusher Roydell Williams is in the same boat. He tallied 619 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns this season but projects as a sixth-round selection at best in the upcoming draft. Sophomore Jam Miller and freshman Justice Haynes sit in the wings behind the senior duo of Williams and McClellan. Haynes was the third-ranked running back in last year’s class, per 247Sports, while Miller was also a highly-ranked recruit.
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