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Getting a big time commitment is huge for any college football program. However getting a commit from a top flight player who takes on the role of recruiter is an ever bigger get. Tennessee landed wide out Markeith Ambles and he’s taken the role of recruiter to heart calling other recruits in hopes to bring followers with him. His latest target is strong safety Dietrich Riley (La Canada, CA/ St. Francis High School) and seems to have struck gold.
“Tennessee, I love Tennessee,” said Riley. “In fact I just hung up with Markeith [Ambles] just now. He is calling me every day it seems like. That or talking to me on Facebook. We talk about me following him to Tennessee and how talented he’d be on offense and me on defense. I am really thinking I could end up at Tennessee and play with him.”
The relationship between Riley and Ambles is an interesting one. It started out as two athletes competing against each other at camps and combines to friends on the camp circuit to now great friends who could end up at the same school.
“I’ve gotten to know Markeith and I can honestly say we will be great friends forever. Even if I end up at a different school than Tennessee I know we will always talk and be great friends. He is just an awesome dude and I am glad we’ve become friends. That said it would be really crazy to go to school together,” says Riley.
Ambles isn’t the only draw to Tennessee for Riley as he stated to VolNation.com that he’s speaking with the staff on a regular basis and hopes to finally get a chance to speak with the Head Coach Lane Kiffin.
“I speak with a lot of the members of the staff on the phone all the time. The only coach I haven’t talked to on the phone or in person is Coach Kiffin. We exchange e-mails all the time and I love it but I can’t wait to finally to speak to him and let him know how interested I am in Tennessee,” explained Riley.
Riley also pointed out the idea of replacing current Vol legend Eric Berry at Safety and how hard Tennessee is recruiting him.
“I think eBerry is going to be leaving after this year and that could allow me to slide right in and replace him,” said Riley. “It would be a tough task but I know I could do it. I like the fact that Tennessee is saying I could try for that. Tennessee is also the school coming at me the hardest right now and I see that.”
While Tennessee is recruiting Riley the hardest he did go into detail about the rest of his recruiting process.
“I have somewhere around 20 offers at the moment,” said Riley. “I don’t have any favorites as I am keeping things open and just going day by day. My head is spinning in different directions each day so I just try and keep it centered on the goal at hand, winning state and getting my 1,000 receiving yards, 1,000 rushing yards, and a total of 30 touchdowns.”
While having over 20 offers Riley did say there are a few schools who do stand out in his mind at the moment.
“Right now USC, Tennessee, Cal, and Notre Dame are the ones that stand out,” said Riley. “SC has always been my school. I grew up loving them and I’ve always been a fan. Tennessee, well like I said, I am very interested in them and I could see myself there. Oh and they are recruiting me the hardest. Cal is a school up north I am interested to learn more about and check out. Notre Dame is Notre Dame. There is a lot at Notre Dame and it’s a school I’ve always followed.”
While no official visits have been made to date Riley did inform VolNation that he has been talking about a certain date for a visit with the staff.
“I’ve been thinking about coming out for the Auburn game,” said Riley. I wanted to come out for the Georgia game but I have to take my SATs so I can’t. I’ve talked with Markeith about going together and that looks like it could. I just need to sit down with the staff and my family and see if it works.”
VolNation.com would like to thank Dietrich for his time and insight into his recruiting and would like to also wish him good luck on the upcoming season. Check back with VolNation.com as we track Riley’s recruiting process and all other recruits in the 2010 class.
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