Q&A: Tech’s Newest Commit, Donovan Riley

Donovan Riley loves to work. He is a workout fanatic. He is an excellent student. All of this paid off in a big way when, earlier this year, he received his first college scholarship offer from Virginia Tech. Connecticut, Pitt and Vanderbilt would follow suit, but the 6-0, 195-pound junior decided to commit to Virginia Tech on April 30. He goes in-depth about his decision in this latest “Q&A” feature.

A 2-year starter on Baltimore Polytechnic Institute’s (Baltimore, MD) varsity football squad, Riley had 43 receptions for 900 yards and six touchdowns at receiver last season as a junior. Defensively, he started at corner last season and racked up 46 tackles and six interceptions. Riley excelled on both sides of the ball, but Virginia Tech has offered as a defensive back.

Riley made two visits to Virginia Tech this year, checking out a spring practice and the Spring Game. He committed one week after the latter, though it appears the thought seriously crossed his mind while in Blacksburg on April 23.

“I was feeling real good at Virginia Tech’s Spring Game,” Riley said. “My dad always tells me to not make a decision based on emotion. I waited a couple of days.”

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