Duke Riley (American football) facts for kids
Riley with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||
| Born: | August 9, 1994 Buras, Louisiana, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 227 lb (103 kg) | ||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||
| High school: | John Curtis Christian (River Ridge, Louisiana) | ||||||||||||
| College: | LSU (2013–2016) | ||||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 2017 / Round: 3 / Pick: 75 | ||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics as of 2024 | |||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||
Duke Riley, born on August 9, 1994, is an American professional football player. He plays as a linebacker, which is a key defensive position. Before becoming a pro, he played college football for the LSU Tigers.
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Duke Riley's Early Life and High School Years
Duke Riley grew up in River Ridge, Louisiana. He went to John Curtis Christian High School. Even from a young age, he showed great talent in football. After high school, he decided to play college football for Louisiana State University (LSU).
College Football Career at LSU
Riley played for the LSU Tigers from 2013 to 2016. For his first three years, he was a backup player. This means he wasn't a regular starter but was ready to play if needed.
Becoming a Starter in College
In his senior year, 2016, Duke Riley became a starter for the first time. He had an amazing season! He made 93 tackles, which is when a player brings down an opponent. He also had 1.5 sacks, meaning he tackled the opposing team's quarterback behind the line of scrimmage. He even made one interception, catching a pass meant for an opposing player. Because of his great performance, he was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Duke Riley's Professional Football Journey
Getting Ready for the NFL Draft
After his successful college career, Duke Riley prepared for the NFL Draft. This is where professional teams choose new players. He was invited to the Senior Bowl, a special game for top college players. He played well, showing off his speed and quick thinking. Many experts thought he would be picked in the second to fourth round of the draft.
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand size | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0+1⁄2 in (1.84 m) |
232 lb (105 kg) |
32 in (0.81 m) |
9+1⁄4 in (0.23 m) |
4.58 s | 1.56 s | 2.65 s | 4.21 s | 6.89 s | 34+1⁄2 in (0.88 m) |
10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
18 reps | |
| All values from NFL Combine | ||||||||||||
Playing for the Atlanta Falcons (2017–2019)
The Atlanta Falcons picked Duke Riley in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft. He was the 75th player chosen overall. He joined his former LSU teammate, Deion Jones, on the Falcons.
Rookie Season with the Falcons (2017)
In 2017, Duke Riley started his first professional game against the Chicago Bears. He made six tackles in that game. Unfortunately, he got injured later in the season, tearing his meniscus, which is a part of the knee. He had surgery and missed some games. He finished his first season with 30 tackles in 12 games.
The Falcons made it to the playoffs that year. Duke Riley played in his first playoff game, helping his team win against the Los Angeles Rams. They later lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Second Season with the Falcons (2018)
In 2018, Duke Riley started the season as a weakside linebacker. He had a strong game in Week 3, making 13 tackles against the Saints. However, as the season went on, another player, Foyesade Oluokun, started to play more. Riley eventually became a backup player. He finished the season with 60 tackles in 16 games.
Time with the Philadelphia Eagles (2019–2020)
In 2019, Duke Riley was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. This means he moved from the Falcons to the Eagles. In 2020, he was named a special teams captain for a playoff game.
Key Moments with the Eagles (2020)
In Week 5 of the 2020 season, Riley led his team with 13 tackles against the Steelers. He also forced a fumble, which is when a player loses control of the ball. Later that season, in Week 14, he made his first professional interception against the Saints. He caught a pass thrown by the opposing team's quarterback. He finished the 2020 season with 55 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception in 13 games.
Joining the Miami Dolphins (2021–2024)
Duke Riley signed with the Miami Dolphins in March 2021. He played in 16 games, mostly on special teams. Special teams are units that play during kickoffs, punts, and field goals.
Continuing with the Dolphins (2022-2024)
In March 2022, Riley signed a one-year contract extension with the Dolphins. He played in 17 games, making 45 tackles and one sack. In March 2023, he signed another two-year contract extension, showing he was an important part of the team. He continued to play for the Dolphins through the 2024 season.
