South Carolina offers in-state tight end. Here’s where his recruiting stands
Tight end Tilden Riley of Orangeburg Prep visited South Carolina on Saturday and met up with head coach Shane Beamer and tight ends coach Shawn Elliott. He left without an offer.
It didn’t take long for his status with USC to change.
The Gamecocks contacted Riley (6-5, 205) Monday night and informed he has an offer from them.
“It was awesome going up to watch their spring practice. It was their first scrimmage of the spring practice. Offense looked pretty good,” Riley said. “I talked to Coach Beamer and Coach Elliott, and we talked about recruiting a little bit and talked about how baseball was going. I don’t know if I’ll get back up there this spring, but I do plan on going back up there another couple of times and hanging out with Coach Elliott and Coach Beamer.”
Riley has been on Elliott’s radar for a little while. He visited for a game last November and returned for their junior day event in late January. While on that visit, he reunited with former receiver teammate Gordon Sellars of Charlotte, who will be visiting USC this Saturday. Elliott then followed up with a school visit a few days later.
“We have a great relationship right now,” Riley said. “He told me he wouldn’t be wasting his time with me if they didn’t want me to come there.”
Riley also has offers from West Virginia, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Duke, USF, FAU, Liberty, East Carolina and Appalachian State. This spring he also has visited Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Duke and Vanderbilt.
He has scheduled official visits to Virginia Tech May 30, West Virginia June 6, Vanderbilt June 13 and FAU June 20.
“I like all of them. I’m very open right now to everything,” Riley said. “I’m excited about going on official visits this summer and learn more about each school. I don’t have a specific date on a commitment but I do want to do it before football season so I can go ahead and get that out of the way.”
Last season Riley caught 49 passes for 903 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also plays safety and had four interceptions returning two for touchdowns. He also returns punts and kicks. Riley also plays baseball and basketball for OP.