Interview: 3-Star 2021 Louisiana TE/WR Jency Riley is Truly an Impressive Talent
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
All the superlatives used to describe the gifted on the gridiron apply to Class of 2021 tight end/receiver Jency Riley. The short list on Riley: big, strong, fast, athletic, versatile, upside, determination, great hands, and a great kid. The St. Helena College and Career Academy (Greensburg) prospect quietly posted a 1,000-yard eight touchdown season a year ago against Louisiana competition, his first varsity football season. The skills from the hardwood to the field translated and the 6-5, 220-pound, rising recruit earned three-star status along with seven offers to date. Showing his domination in 2019 was no fluke, in the Hawks season opener he hauled in five for 103 yards with six going up on the board.
In an RNG first-look, Riley catches us up on his breakout junior year, offseason workouts, and growing recruiting process.
Interview
Jency, you are truly a versatile talent for the Hawks. You line up tight, split, on the outside at receiver, and in the backfield as an H-back. Correct me if I am wrong, but you are also playing some defense too, right?
Yes, sir. This year is my first year going both ways.
There is a feel to your game on offense, it really shows in your pass receiving footwork and hands, that you have a basketball background. Is that an accurate guess?
Yes, sir. Last year was my first year playing high school football. I have been playing basketball since my 8th-grade year. Basketball had been my sport, and that has helped me translate to football.
Tell me a little bit about your basketball background.
I was starting during my freshman year on varsity. We call it District out here, my 10th grade year I earned second team All-District and I made first team All-District last year.
Do you remember any part of your stat line from basketball last season?
Yes, I averaged 15 points per game with 410 points.
Did you get any poster dunks?
(Laughs) Yes, I have a couple of those.
Nice. When did you start playing football, and when did you start lining up at tight end and receiver?
I had played football from age five until junior high, stopped to play basketball, and then last year was my first year of varsity football. When I went out there, at first they put me at receiver. I had to get back to it on the field.
How has the 2020 season gone for you so far?
So far it is good. We have a new head coach and a new coaching staff. There has been a lot of work for the team to learn the new system and the way they coach. But everything is going good. We are looking forward to seeing if we can get some jewelry on our fingers this season.
What offensive set are you guys running?
We run plays out of many formations. Our base is a three-receiver set. I am either on or off the ball and a there is a receiver outside of me. We call it Ace.
Let’s break this down role by role. As a receiving threat, what are the strengths to your game?
I feel I am a mismatch no matter who you put in front of me. Me being tall and I am fast, I am too fast and too quick for linebackers. With corners and safeties, I am too big for them. Pick your poison with me.
I am rough, playing football you have to be. My goal is to not let one man tackle me. Rarely can one man bring me down. I keep going as far and as long as I can, and I can outrun a lot of guys. Schools get caught off guard, I surprise a lot of teams with my speed.
As a blocker, at tight and out of the backfield, what are the things you do well?
With my blocking, a lot of colleges are recruiting me at tight end. Tight end blocking and blocking as a receiver are two different things. Corners are not that big. On the line, defensive ends and linebackers are bigger. I hold my own against defensive ends. When I am in the zone, I am with them.
What are some areas to your game you are constantly working on this season?
Blocking and route running. This season I am making the switch to more of a college tight end. The guys are bigger, more athletic, and stronger in college, I am preparing for that. My route running, the short routes, stopping on a dime, and being smoother and more efficient. Getting open and getting separation is something else I am always working on.
Did you play and/or train with Buzz 7v7 this offseason?
Yes. Before I had any offers, I started my Twitter page and Coach Grant and Coach Brown reached out and then we started talking. They talked to my mom about me playing on their 7v7 team. I went to two of their tournaments, they showed love and hospitality. In my first tournament, I had a really good one and in the second one I had some good catches going against a big-time player. They’ve been helping me with my process.
Let’s get into your recruiting process. Which schools are showing interest?
Memphis, Pitt, Houston, Tulane, Auburn, Arizona State, and Florida State.
How many offers do you have?
Seven.
Riley’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Grambling State, Lamar, New Mexico, New Mexico State, Southeastern, and Texas State
This spring or summer did you take any virtual visits?
Yes. I took one to Lamar, New Mexico State, and one to Memphis. With Lamar, they showed me the whole campus, dining hall, and facilities. At New Mexico State, they showed me the dorms, where I would be living for the first two years. And at Memphis, they showed me the facilities, weight room, field, the gear – all of it.
Looks like FBS visits will not be allowed until 2021 as of right now. Once that opportunity opens back up again are there any schools you’d like to see in-person?
There are a lot. I’d like to visit all the schools that have offered to see how my life would be, the people there and the people I would be living with. I’d also like to visit the three schools showing interest that have not offered Memphis, Florida State, and Pitt.
Going back to basketball, are you getting any looks and/or offers for the hardwood?
I am getting looks. I am talking to a couple of schools about playing both sports. There are multiple programs telling me that I could play both, and try out for the basketball team.
Back to the team. The Hawks are one game into the 2020 season with Livonia coming up on Friday. What kind of game are you expecting from them?
A good game. We played them last year, we lost by one point, 13-14. That was a bizarre way to lose. This will be a good game. We missed a lot of opportunities last season. Those guys have been working hard and getting ready, so have we. It will be a tough game. I am looking for us to come out on top.
Once the season is completed, what all will you have accomplished?
If we win it all, we would be the first to win one at our school. We’ve had a lot of runner-up finishes; I want the ring. Making All-State teams would be nice. After the numbers I put up last season, I feel that I should have made All-State last season. That will be nice to be recognized this season, but for now I am just focused on winning it all.
Jency, it was a pleasure spending time with you going over everything. Wishing you and the Hawks great success this season until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Riley family; Jency Riley
🔥🔥🔥💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾 Amazing Kid