Miami makes biggest 2024 recruiting splash yet, plucks elite RB Kevin Riley out of Alabama

JUNE 19, 2023 7:03 PM The Miami Hurricanes just made their biggest splash yet in the Class of 2024, beating out some of college football’s biggest powerhouses to land a commitment from Kevin Riley. The elite running back orally committed to Miami on Monday after spending the weekend in Coral Gables on an official visit. He’s the first top-100 prospect to commit to the Hurricanes so far in the 2024 recruiting cycle, according to the 247Sports composite rankings, and gives Mario Cristobal and Co. some big momentum as they gets ready for one of their biggest visit weeks of the year. “After a great talk with Coach Cristobal and the entire Hurricane Staff,” he wrote, “I would like to proudly announce my commitment to the University of Miami.” The Hurricanes beat out Georgia, Alabama and Auburn to land a commitment from the 5-foot-11, 195-pound tailback and they plucked him right out of the Crimson Tide’s backyard. Riley is a star at Tuscaloosa County in Northport, Alabama, and ran for 1,306 yards and 11 touchdowns on 203 carries as a junior last year. He also caught 18 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns. In the last week, Miami has tripled the number of blue-chip prospects in its 2024 recruiting class. Until last week, St. Thomas Aquinas wide receiver Chance Robinson was the only four-star prospect in the Hurricanes’ 2024 class, and then four-star tight end Elija Lofton committed to Miami on Thursday and now Riley is in the fold, too. With Riley’s commitment, the Hurricanes jump into the top 25 in the national rankings, one spot behind the Crimson Tide at No. 23. Miami will have a chance to make some more big recruiting moves this week when it hosts its annual Legends Camp on Thursday, the Hurricanes’ signature event of the offseason and one they hope can set the tone for a similar string of summer commitments like the one they had last year on the way to a top-10 recruiting class.