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2026 safety Yaheim Riley commits to Texas Longhorns

hunterby: Hunter Shelton05/16/25HunterShelton_
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LAWRENCE, KS - NOVEMBER 19: Texas Longhorns mascot Bevo during a Big 12 college football game between the Texas Longhorns and Kansas Jayhawks on November 19, 2022 at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)

Austin (Texas) Anderson three-star safety Yaheim Riley has committed to Texas, he tells On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

He chose the local Longhorns following his decommitment from Houston on April 13.

Riley is the No. 683 overall prospect and No. 62 safety in the 2026 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 104 player in Texas.

Steve Sarkisian and the Texas staff picked up some serious momentum in Riley’s recruitment this spring. He decommitted from the Cougars while on The Forty Acres and is now in the mix for the SEC program.

Duane Akina has led Texas’ charge for Riley. The safety joins a class that continued to feature top in-state talent.

As a junior for Anderson High, Riley logged 61 total tackles and an interception, according to MaxPreps. He’s managed over 130 tackles across his last two seasons. The Trojans won seven games in 2024.

Texas pushing for Top-10 recruiting class

The addition of Riley brings Texas up to eight commits in its 2026 class. He’s the fourth pledge of the month for the Longhorns.

Willis (Texas) four-star athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr., a top-100 overall recruit, announced a surprise pledge earlier this week. on May 9, Texas beat out LSU for New Orleans Edna Karr four-star cornerback Hayward Howard Jr. The No. 12 player in Louisiana, Howard Jr. is now one of two listed defensive prospects in the mix alongside Riley.

“The culture is what keeps me coming back,” Bishop told InsideTexas earlier this year. “Those guys are really great and treat me like family. I got an offer from (Texas) two years ago, so them being able to keep that culture and that bond is pretty special.”

Back in February, Melissa (Texas) four-star offensive tackle Max Wright committed. He checks in just outside the top 300 nationally and is the No. 25 OT in the cycle. Pearland (Texas) Shadow Creek four-star wide receiver Chris Stewart has been pledged since last June.

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage five-star quarterback Dia Bell committed to Texas last June, too. The son of former NBA veteran Raja Bell, Dia has only seen his stock soar since locking in with Sarkisian, AJ Milwee and Co. He ranks No. 4 nationally and No. 2 at QB in the updated On300.

Spring (Texas) Klein three-star interior offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson and Plano (Texas) Prestonwood Christian three-star long snapper Trott O’Neal round out the pledge list.