Riley weighing options

[jhopduck]

I believe this is a kid that Oregon may be recruiting more behind the scenes than we know. I could be wrong, but I think we will be a player to the end.

by Greg Biggins

There may not be a more versatile player out West than St. Francis (La Canada, Calif.) athlete Dietrich Riley. Riley is being recruited on both sides of the ball and will use the summer to check out several of his favorite schools.

Riley might have had the best overall camp at the NIKE Camp at USC back in April. He worked out briefly with the defensive backs and receivers before spending the majority of time with the running backs.

In what was a loaded group of backs, lead RB coach Jake Campbell said the only reason Riley didn't earn RB MVP honors was because he didn't spend the whole day at the position.

"He was incredible," Campbell said. "We've seen some great backs this year, guys like Marcus Lattimore, Roy Finch and all the guys at the USC camp but Riley is the best kid I've seen. He's a beast with size, speed and moves and he plays with an edge to him."

Riley rushed for 1,400 yards and 13 touchdowns to go with 50 tackles and three sacks form his safety position. He prefers offense and said he would like to play running back or receiver in college.

"I like having the ball in my hand," Riley said. "I don't mind defense and I'll play wherever but I really like offense and that's where most of the schools are recruiting me for right now."

Riley said he has not decided where he'll take any of his official visits but did say he wants to take all five before making his decision.

"I'm going to take a bunch of trips in the summer to check out some schools," Riley said. "I think the only camp I'll do is the USC Rising Stars Camp and I'm going to take unofficial visits to Arizona State, Washington, Oregon and Cal.

"I know right now a lot of people think I'm mainly looking at just USC and UCLA but I'm open to some out of state schools too. I'm going to go through the recruiting process and take my time before I make my decision."

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/ind ... Recruiting

ESPN/Scouts Inc. Evaluation
Riley is truly an amazing athlete. He has good size and is extremely active both sides of the football. Possesses all the ball skills and football instincts to be a difference maker. As a running back displays great vision and makes cuts while accelerating; reads the hole from tackle to tackle or bounces the ball outside. Makes defenders miss in the openfield and can run through an arm tackle; has little wasted motion. Has exceptional quickness and a burst. Catches the ball well out of the backfield on the flare and flat routes and can turn a short catch into six points. As a wide receiver, has soft and reliable hands; shows the ability to snatch the ball out of the air and get north and south in a hurry. Has excellent leaping ability and can go up to high point the ball as a receiver or as a safety. Very dangerous with the ball in his hands; big play maker. Tremendous instincts as a defensive back; reads and reacts instantly. Breaks quickly on run support and doesn't shy away from delivering on the ball carrier or receiver. Takes good angles and transitions in the openfield; turns his hips and changes direction fluidly. Displays closing and catch up speed; runs down ball carriers that break contain or receivers from the opposite side of the field. Has the ability to run by tacklers on defense and blockers on offense. A smooth and fluid athlete with a ton of natural talent; does things that can't be coached. Riley is one of those rare athletes that truly could line up either side of the football and be a success. He should play very early in his collegiate career.