Looking at NC State redshirt sophomore defensive end Tyrone Riley, it’s hard to imagine he was 210 pounds just a few years ago.
Riley originally dreamed of playing college basketball, but learned his junior year that his best recruiting options were in football. He was a lanky 6-foot-6, 210-pounder at one point at Savannah (Ga.) Calvary Baptist, but colleges were confident he’d fill out.
NC State won an intense recruiting battle with Kentucky, where he originally committed. Riley picked up at least 16 scholarship offers in the process, and Rivals.com rated him a three-star prospect, No. 27 weakside defensive end in the country and No. 60 overall player in Georgia in the class of 2015.
Riley transformed his frame during his redshirt season, helping to put himself in position to log some valuable playing time last year.
“I was just eating and working out,” Riley said. “They have good control over your food plans. I was never worried about growing [into a defensive tackle].”
Riley started last year as the third-string at defensive end, but worked his way to become part of the rotation behind star Bradley Chubb, who is a senior this upcoming season. Riley ended up recording nine tackles in 132 plays over the course of 11 games. He was able to play defensive end in nine of the contests, and had a season-high 30 snaps, five tackles and one sack in the loss at Louisville.
The experience gained should help Riley’s confidence for the 2017 campaign.
“It has helped me tremendously,” Riley said. “I’m a lot faster and I know what is going on. My teammates are motivating me, so it’s fun.”
Riley was part of the emphasis former defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen had concerning height and wingspan. Riley enjoyed learning from Nielsen’s replacement this spring, Kevin Patrick.
“I am able to get leverage on people before they even put their hands on me,” said Riley, who is majoring in sports management with a minor in business management. “That helps me a lot.
“It’s definitely different without Coach Nielsen, but Coach KP is definitely a good coach. I think we’ll be good. He’s big on rushing the passer and having fun.”
Riley will always remember his first career sack, which was against eventual Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson during the third quarter of the Cardinals’ 54-13 win Oct. 22, 2016.
“That was the best feeling ever to get that sack,” Riley said. “Most people don’t know that I played safety and linebacker in high school. I never played defensive end until arriving at NC State.”
Riley said it took some time to adjust to going against big 285-pound-plus offensive lineman in college. He often practices against 6-6, 322-pound starting redshirt junior right tackle Will Richardson and 6-7, 300-pound redshirt sophomore tackle Philip Walton Jr.
“It was definitely an experience, but it’s like playing linebacker with your hand in the dirt,” Riley said. “That first fall camp, I was like, ‘I think I can do this.’
“I know I have to use quick moves on Will because if he gets his hands on me, it’s over. Phil likes to fall back on me, so I have to use a lot of power.”
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