Darien Riley brings size, production, and havoc-making upside to Lafayette’s linebacker room
In the 2024 season, Darien Riley flashed as a versatile front-seven piece for Lafayette, logging 20 tackles and 1 TFL while appearing in all 12 games and earning a start against Sacred Heart; in 2023, he posted 23 tackles, 3.5 TFL, two sacks, four QB hurries, and ranked fifth in the Patriot League in fumble recoveries. At 6-foot-4 and 257 pounds in 2026, he stands out for length, strength, and edge versatility, and his Texas background as a former outside linebacker/defensive end hints at real physicality. He looks like a high-motor fit for a defense that wants a downhill, disruptive LB with positional flexibility.
