BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 21 TE Riley Williams
In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with Miami transfer tight end Riley Williams, who checks in at No. 21…
Riley Williams
Tight End
Bio
No. 88
6-foot-5, 275-pounds
Junior
Portland, Ore.
Central Catholic/IMG Academy -> Miami -> Oregon State
2024 Stats: 11 GP – 7 rec, 115 yards
Williams 2024 Recap
The 2024 campaign was Williams’ second with the Miami Hurricanes, as he saw a slight reduction in playing time in his sophomore season.
After playing 316 snaps as a true freshman in 2023 and tallying eight receptions for 72 yards and a score, he saw 183 snaps and had seven catches for 115 yards as a sophomore in 2024. While Williams was a sizable target at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds, he only had eight targets this past season, catching seven.
For someone of Williams’ talent, the usage wasn’t quite what you’d expect, and because of that, he elected to hit the transfer portal to find somewhere like Oregon State, which had a sizable need at tight end.
Additionally, Corvallis and OSU appealed to Williams, as he grew up in Portland and attended Central Catholic High School before moving to Florida and the IMG Academy. The four-star tight end in the class of 2023 hasn’t quite reached his potential yet, but he’s loaded with talent and could thrive in the right situation.
Williams 2025 Outlook
Entering the 2025 campaign with the Beavers, Williams was one of the team’s top additions via the transfer portal, and will team with returnee Bryce Caufield to cement Oregon State’s 1-2 punch at the position.
Considering how he was a bit underutilized as a receiver in Coral Gables, there’s definetly a chance he could have a breakout-type season as a receiver. Additionally, the Beavers place a big emphasis on run-blocking, and Williams’ size and strength will make him a valuable addition to the rushing attack.
He’s going to be a big target for quarterback Maalik Murphy to throw to, and considering how good his catch rate was despite so few targets, he’s got reliable hands, and that’s key for a tight end. Look for Williams to have a career-best season as he finds his groove in Oregon State’s offense…
