Aggies Football Secures Commitment from Sought-After In-State Running Back
Four-star running back Deondrae 'Tiger' Riden from DeSoto, Texas, has announced his commitment to Texas A&M via social media.
Ensuring a steady influx of top talent and securing the 4th commitment, Elko wasted no time in the 2025 recruiting trail, keeping the DeSoto to Aggie pipeline strong and bolstering the team's roster.
According to the On3 Industry Ranking, which aggregates data from all four major recruiting media companies, Riden is ranked as the nation's No. 181 overall prospect and the No. 12 running back in the 2025 cycle. Additionally, he is regarded as the No. 29 recruit in Texas.
During his junior season at DeSoto, Riden showcased his talent by rushing for an impressive 1,044 yards and 12 touchdowns. This performance built upon his breakout sophomore year, where he amassed 1,339 rushing yards and an impressive 18 touchdowns en route to securing two state championships.
"It just feels right!" Riden expressed to 247Sports. "The people and the atmosphere feel like home."
"Man, the thing that continues to excite me is the people," Riden emphasized. "I'm big on relationships, and everyone around there treats me like family."
Standing at 5-11, 195 pounds, Riden is a versatile every-down back known for his powerful running style, exceptional vision, and agility. His combination of size and strength enables him to excel in finishing runs with authority and gaining crucial yards through the tackles.
Moreover, his explosive speed allows him to capitalize on openings, evade defenders in open space, and break away for big gains. Additionally, he demonstrates proficiency in pass protection and poses a significant threat as a receiving option, adding versatility to his playmaking abilities.
In addition to Texas A&M, Riden has received offers from numerous other prestigious programs, including Alabama, Auburn, Baylor, Florida, Georgia, Louisville, Miami, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ole Miss, TCU, Tennessee, Texas Tech, and USC. He is ranked as the 15th-best running back in the country by 247Sports.