Longhorns Secure Commitment from Austin Safety Yaheim Riley
AUSTIN – may 17,2024 –
The University of Texas Longhorns have secured a commitment from Austin native Yaheim Riley,a three-star safety,for their 2026 recruiting class. Riley, who decommitted from Houston, chose to stay close to home, opting for Texas over offers from Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. This decision comes after Riley’s initial commitment elsewhere, and is a meaningful win for the longhorns as they build their future roster. Stay tuned for updates on Riley’s impact.
Longhorns Secure Commitment from Austin Safety Yaheim Riley
Austin, Texas – The University of Texas Longhorns have bolstered their 2026 recruiting class with the addition of Yaheim Riley, a three-star safety from nearby Austin Anderson High School. Riley, a local talent, chose to stay close to home, committing to Texas over offers from Ole Miss, Houston, and Vanderbilt.
Riley’s decision comes after he initially committed to Houston in December, only to decommit on April 13, reopening his recruitment. According to reports, the Longhorns made a strong push to secure his commitment.
Riley’s Statement and Recruitment Journey
Following his commitment, Riley shared his thoughts, stating, Been in my bag, why not keep going. All Glory to God.
Beyond his final four schools, Riley received offers from a wide range of programs, including Arizona State, Texas Tech, Maryland, Arizona, Washington, utah, TCU, North Texas, Baylor, Stanford, and Nevada, highlighting his widespread appeal as a defensive prospect.
Scouting Report and Rankings
According to 247Sports’ rankings, Riley is the No.96 overall safety in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 139 overall player in Texas. his on-field performance backs up these rankings.
over the past two seasons, Riley has amassed notable statistics, including:
- 155 tackles (nine for loss)
- Two sacks
- Two forced fumbles
- One fumble recovery
- Six pass breakups
- Seven interceptions
The 2026 Recruiting Class: Building a Dynasty?
Riley joins a Texas 2026 class that is already shaping up to be one of the nation’s best. The class features several highly-rated players, including:
- Five-star athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr.
- Long snapper Trott O’Neal
- four-star quarterback Dia Bell
- Three-star wide receiver Chris Stewart
- Three-star cornerback Hayward Howard Jr.
- Three-star offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson
- three-star offensive tackle max wright
The Longhorns recently secured a commitment from Bishop Jr., considered one of the top overall players in the 2026 class, further solidifying their recruiting efforts.
Looking Ahead: The 2025 Season
As the Longhorns build for the future, they also have a highly anticipated 2025 season on the horizon. Texas will open the season on the road against the defending national champion Ohio State buckeyes on Saturday,Aug. 30.
