Four-star close to setting SEC visit

Two-way, four-star running back/safety standout Dietrich Riley (6-1, 200, 4.47) from La Canada (Calif.) St. Francis. He has 16 offers on the table with his three coming from three very diverse schools. Riley talks about his latest three offers and his take on his overall recruitment.

"My most recent offers came from Cal, Alabama, and Northern Arizona," Riley said. "I'm open to anyone.

"Even though they (Northern Arizona) might be a small school or whatever, but you know, anything can happen. You just never know. I know that one of Northern Arizona's coaches used to coach at St. Francis and he's a good friend of our community.

"He (Northern Arizona coach) was just down at USC helping out at the Rising Stars Camp and he was just saying they were supposed to come out in the spring and offer and even though they knew I am being highly recruited they wanted to offer me just in case something would happen."

"I actually have a good relationship with Alabama's defensive backs coach (Kirby Smart)," Riley said. "Markeith Ambles set me up with them a few months back and I called their defensive backs coach (Smart) to tell him that I was really interested in them.

"Markeith spoke very highly of him (Smart)," Riley said. "So I wanted to get in contact with them to let them know that I had family in Montgomery, Alabama, and that I definitely had interest in them. Alabama ended up offering me.

"Cal's offer made me feel great," Riley said. "Cal is not just a great prestigious football program, but academically they are right at the top. Cal is definitely a school that can get you far in life with that degree. Cal is definitely a great school, I must say."

Does Riley have any leaders or narrowing things down at all?

"I'm still wide open, but I know of one school that I'm going to take an official visit to and that's Tennessee," Riley said. "It's up in the air right now, my family and I have been talking about me taking an official visit out there, I haven't confirmed it, but maybe, I'll be going out there when they play Georgia.

"I think I'll start to narrow things down around August maybe, depending if I get anymore offers," Riley said. "There are still a few schools that I'm waiting to hear from like Texas. I hear that Texas is done with their recruiting.

"I would like to hear from Florida," Riley said. "A lot of guys from California are getting offers from Florida. That is another school that I would like to hear from and maybe Ohio State. They (Ohio State are getting a lot of guys from the West Coast.

What about Riley's two local schools, UCLA and USC?

"They are trying to make a big run on me, but I'm not really focusing on them," Riley said. "I am looking at schools out of state right now.

Is one of Southern California's top prospects thinking of heading out of the area for college?

"It's a possibility, it's up in the air," Riley said. "I'm not really focused on staying in California. I might leave the state. I have family in the south and the Midwest so it could work out.

What is Riley looking for a college?

"Academics, first and foremost," Riley said. "A great environment that is family oriented and have a good vibe with the coach.

"Playing time is definitely important to me," Riley said. "I am looking at depth charts when it comes to looking colleges.

"Just a place where I am comfortable and can see myself living at when football is over."

Is there a timeframe for Riley's decision?

"I'm kind of thinking maybe before the season or maybe after the season," Riley said. "I don't know. I was thinking kind of the day before my Mom's birthday. I think that would be nice and special for her, but I'm not really sure.

"I kind of want to take my five official visits," Riley said. "You get explore different environments and schools. You get to know other players, but I'm not really sure.

Most of Riley's offers are coming in for his skills as a running back, but a lot of schools can see him lining up at safety. Riley is a team first guy, doesn't seem to have a preference.

"I just want to play ball," Riley said. "I'm not too worried about what position I play at the next level."

For his junior season performance, Riley was selected first-team all-state, first-team all-CIF, Area Player of the Year and League Offensive player of the Year.

Riley accounted for over 1,400 rushing and receiving yards while scoring 13 touchdowns.