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Last December 20, Kevin Riley shifted sides and joined Alabama’s Crimson Tide team. Riley stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 194 pounds. He was a Miami commit but has since flipped to Alabama. Riley’s body build is typical of an NFL running back, and his output in Alabama strengthens his NFL draft prospects.
ESPN considers him the No. 5 running back, while 247Sports ranks him as the No. 4 in the class. He has a rather important spot on Alabama’s list of targets in 2024. Riley just keeps getting better.
A popular football player and social media influencer
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His decision to join the Alabama team enriches their roster, and expectations for the upcoming season grow exponentially. Riley is primarily famous in football as a four-star running back and has received attention due to his game activity. He rushed for eight touchdowns in high school and averaged 6.16 yards per carry.
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Polls of the day
Poll 1 of 2
What impact do you think NIL deals will have on college football in the future?
More competitive teams
Increased player focus on money
Better player recruitment
No significant change
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/13448255_40dd1387992e46bfbdabbeaa41507f75.jpg?width=150&blur=15)
Riley first pledged to Miami in June 2023 and then flipped to the Alabama signing list on Early Signing Day. His decision to join Alabama was significant, making him a part of Nick Saban’s program. Therefore, Riley’s return to Alabama was like returning to his hometown, having been born in Tuscaloosa. He is also listed as seventh in Alabama for his class and 76th best player in the country by On3. His actual market value is $135k in On3 NIL valuation as he is still young but rising in popularity. Kevin Riley’s NIL earnings have increased since he signed with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
The diverse NIL Portfolio
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While the NIL deals that Riley signed are not public, he still has quite a diverse income source; he has been able to bargain for agreements with local and well-known companies. The partnership with Opendorse involves contracting him to advertise their products on his social media pages. Riley is affiliated with sportswear manufacturers and energy drink producers. He is also featured in the EA Sports 25 video game. These deals are also lucrative in a way that raises his profile while at the same time enhancing his financial remuneration.
What’s your perspective on:
Is Kevin Riley's success with NIL deals a sign of the future for college football?
Have an interesting take?
He usually posts sponsored content on Instagram and the X handles that he owns with a significant number of followers. During his official visit to Alabama, several brands noticed Riley’s presence. This made him secure a better contractual colorist through affiliation with Alabama, a high-profile program. The better Riley performs, the better deals he bags. Let’s buckle up and watch how his performance on the field gets him deals from the sidelines.
Debate
Is Kevin Riley's success with NIL deals a sign of the future for college football?