2025 Four-Star RB Deondrae Riden Plans Return Visit to Texas for Junior Day
One of the standout running backs in the class of 2025 is gearing up for crucial junior days with visits already in progress.
On January 20, Deondrae Riden will visit the Texas Longhorns, per On3's Sam Spiegelman.
Riden is ranked as a four-star running back out of Desoto, TX with 34 FBS offers to schools like Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and Michigan just to name a few.
According to On3 Industry Rankings, the running back has disclosed Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Oregon, and SMU are among the teams recruiting him the hardest.
Riden has conveyed his affinity for Longhorns RB coach Tashard Choice, emphasizing their close relationship.
“Coach Choice is my guy and we speak every other day," Riden told On3. "That’s my guy and we’ve got a really strong relationship.”
The prominence of junior days has significantly increased. These events serve as introductory opportunities for major programs to connect with the top prospects of the upcoming recruiting class, typically occurring a year or more before signing day. While most junior days operate on an invitation-only basis, there are exceptions.
The significance of junior days varies depending on the school. For instance, at Texas, where a junior day is scheduled for tomorrow, these events carry substantial weight. The Longhorns have a track record of securing commitments during junior days, one year obtaining 10 pledges from a single event.
They have over 25 recruits visiting this weekend, including Riden.
While the importance is comparable elsewhere, the outcomes may be less dramatic. What remains consistent across Texas and other programs is that junior days are the unofficial starting point for a yearlong recruiting process.
Coaches at numerous major programs now dedicate more time to recruiting throughout the year than in the months leading up to signing day.
Riden is also scheduled to return to Texas A&M on February 3 for the first time since Mike Elko took over as the Aggies’ head coach. Ridden is the No. 178 overall player in the 2025 class and the No. 29-ranked recruit from the Lone Star State.
While it is uncertain when Riden will commit to one of these schools, Sarkisian and the Longhorns appear to have a decent chance at obtaining the young running back.
