Tuscaloosa County coach Adam Winegarden doesn’t have to make many third-down decisions about his running backs.

Not when rising senior Kevin Riley is back there.

“I think Kevin is an all-purpose back, an every down back,” Winegarden said. “He can do so many things – run with power, run with speed. He is a great receiver out of the backfield. We don’t have to limit him in certain game situations. He brings a high level of skill that so many teams value.”

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Riley is one of the state’s top 10 Class of 2024 prospects. The top 247 rankings currently have him at No. 9, one spot ahead of the state’s other top running back recruit, Andalusia star and Auburn commit J’Marion Burnette.

The four-star prospect already has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Cincinnati, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan State and multiple other teams. Winegarden said he didn’t believe a Riley commitment was imminent.

“I think he and his family are trying to plan everything out,” he said. “I know the big focus is finishing out the school year, then I think they will get some visits set up over the summer.”

As a junior, Riley rushed for 1,306 yards and 11 touchdowns on 203 carries in a brutal region that includes four-time reigning state champ Thompson, perennial power Hoover and Hewitt-Trussville. To emphasize Winegarden’s point about Riley being an all-purpose back, he also caught 18 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.

“Kevin can do so many things,” Winegarden said. “You could put him at slot or at safety in addition to all the things he can do at running back. I think in the right college program and with consistency from his end, I think he could blossom into a great player on the Division 1 level.

“When you get to that level, the talent is very equal. He just needs to understand the level of commitment when he gets to college, and I think he will do that.”

More news from around the state this week:

COMMITMENTS

Parker DB Tevis Metcalf committed Saturday to join his brother TJ at Arkansas.

Spain Park basketball star Sam Wright committed to Colgate.

Former Oak Mountain star Will Shaver announced the was transferring from North Carolina to Belmont.

Patrician Academy tight end Jay Lindsey committed to Mississippi State.

DECOMMITMENTS

Baker star and reigning Mr. Basketball Labaron Philon announced he was decommitting from Auburn.

OTHER NEWS

Gulf Shores All-State DB/ATH Ronnie Royal III received an offer from Middle Tennessee State.

Thompson DB Anquon Fegans received an offer from two-time reigning national champion Georgia.

Booker T. Washington LB Joseph Phillips received an offer from Texas.

Central-Phenix City WR Cameron Coleman received an offer from Miami.