Rising 2025 RB Deondrae Riden talks Texas A&M, return visit plans

Texas A&M made an early offer out to 2025 DeSoto (Tex.) High running back Deondrae Riden last month, who’s been busy this spring getting ready for his first season of varsity football in the fall.

“Going good lately,” he said of spring so far. “Getting back in shape, learning the playbook as a young guy, it’s going well.”

The freshman is dealing with a foot injury that has held him out of spring ball so far, but has been has involved in spring practices as he can be from the sidelines and should be back in action in the coming days. He added that in addition to learning the playbook, he’s worked on the receiver part of his game this offseason, learning wide receiver concepts in order to be as well-rounded as possible as he’s set to play a big role in the Eagles’ offense next season.

Riden’s goal for his sophomore season is to help lead DeSoto to the state championship and lead the state in rushing yards, a lofty goal given that he’ll be splitting carries with 2023 four-star running back Tre Wisner, a Texas commit, who transferred in to DeSoto this spring from Waco (Tex.) Conally. Since Wisner’s arrival, the two have been pushing each other, as both have high expectations for themselves and DeSoto next season.

“We make each other compete everyday,” he said. “He’s a good dude man.”

Since landing the offer from the Aggies just last month, Riden has been in contact with running backs coach Tommie Robinson, and though contact is limited due to NCAA rules, the two are forging a tight relationship early. He added that his recent conversations with Robinson have been focused outside of football, on life and school, as the two continue to strengthen their relationship.

“Other than a coach he’s a good guy,” he said. “He’s going to treat you like you’re one of his, that’s what I like about him.”

Robinson stopped through DeSoto soon after the evaluation period opened to see Riden and his teammates 2023 four-star wide receiver Johntay Cook and the aforementioned Wisner, which stuck out to the freshman.

Early on, the genuine vibe Riden’s gotten from Robinson and the staff have the Aggies standing out to the freshman.

“The coaching staff,” he said. “I love the coaching staff they’re going to keep it real, they ain’t going to tell you what you want to hear, they’re gonna keep it real with you.”

Riden last visited College Station in early April, where he picked up the offer from the Aggies. He’s planning to return early next month for a camp, eying the first week of June camps to stop through campus to camp and talk with the coaching staff again.

Finishing his freshman year this month, Riden holds eleven offers to date. Outside of Texas A&M, Riden has summer visit plans to Oregon and SMU in mind. He noted USC, Tennessee, Houston and Miami as some schools standing out to him right now in addition to the Aggies, Ducks and Mustangs.