Editor’s note: This is Part 1 of a three-part series looking at former Duke football players in the NFL. Today, Matt Levenberg writes about Eron Riley. Tomorrow, Scott Rich looks at Thad Lewis, and Alex Young covers Vincent Rey Friday.
It has been a decade since the last Duke player was drafted into the NFL, but that hasn’t stopped several recent graduates from trying to make their way to the pros. One of those is wide receiver Eron Riley, who played for the Blue Devils until 2009.
Riley exploded onto the scene during his junior year in 2007, racking up 830 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on just 40 receptions on his way to a second-team All-ACC selection. The highlight of his collegiate career came against Navy on Sept. 22, 2007, when he caught six passes for 235 yards and four scores, including two receptions of more than 65 yards.
He continued to have success through his senior year, and he currently ranks third in school history in career receiving touchdowns.
“Obviously Cutcliffe is offensive-minded, so I learned a lot from him,” Riley said. “Learning quarterback reads, screen coverages…I’m very appreciative for everything he taught me.”
Although some scouts and mock drafts projected Riley to be chosen in the middle or late rounds of the 2009 NFL Draft, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell never called his name at the podium.
Soon after the draft, Riley was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens and spent all of 2009 on the team’s practice squad. He received another opportunity to make the Ravens’ active roster the next year, but he did not survive the final cuts. He was unemployed for over a month before the Carolina Panthers added him in October 2010. That engagement did not last long, though, and he was released after spending less than a week with Carolina. Finding another job did not prove difficult, as the Denver Broncos came calling just three days after his release from the Panthers.
“It’s been a rough road,” Riley said. “It’s had a lot of ups and downs, but it’s what I have always wanted. I just have to keep going at it.”
Riley impressed in the preseason this year, catching two touchdowns, including a game-winner which was nominated by ESPN as one of the top plays of the preseason. After his strong performance, many experts projected that Riley would make the active roster. Unfortunately for Riley, though, the Broncos made a surprise last-minute move.
One of Riley’s former ACC rivals, ex-Georgia Tech receiver Demaryius Thomas, had missed most of the 2010 season with foot and ankle problems, and fully tore his Achilles’ tendon while working out in February. The recovery process was expected to last six to eight months.
“We’re hoping to get him back maybe halfway through the season,” Broncos vice president of football operations John Elway told ESPN.
But the Broncos made a sudden decision to add Thomas to the roster, despite that the former first-round pick had not participated at all in the preseason.
“Somewhat,” Riley said when asked if he was surprised that he didn’t make the roster. “I know it’s a numbers game around here.”
Riley has not yet had his opportunity to shine on Sunday despite several injuries to Denver’s receivers. Top targets Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal have been banged up, and Thomas has required surgery to repair a broken pinky finger suffered very soon after his delayed return to practice.
Also above Riley on the depth chart is Eric Decker, the Broncos’ third-round pick in 2010, who has truly secured his spot this year, catching two touchdowns in the first three games of the season.
Riley’s hopes of making the roster took another hit when the Broncos acquired former Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Quan Cosby last week to handle their return duties. Although Riley returned kicks at Duke, he has not been asked to do so in the NFL.
“I mean…not necessarily [disappointed,]” Riley said when asked if he was upset that Denver traded for Cosby last week. “I can’t control that. He’s a return man, though, and I’m not a returner. I don’t know exactly what they needed him for.”
So for now, Riley remains on the practice squad. The practice squad trains with the players on the active roster but is paid significantly less and is not eligible to appear in games. The Broncos’ coaching staff has given the former Blue Devil very little indication as to when his number will be called, but he must stay ready in case receivers above him on the depth chart get injured.
“Sometimes it’s just tough staying into it knowing I’m not going to play,” Riley said of his biggest challenge. “I have to keep practicing because it can be at anytime. I have to keep going and keep pushing to be ready at anytime.”
Riley is concentrating on his training and improving his skills as much as possible. He has not given much thought to life after football, but with a Duke degree, he is in better shape than most practice squad players. It is very difficult for a practice squad player to guess if and where he will ultimately find a home.
“I would love for Denver to be a [long-term situation],” Riley said. “But wherever I get a chance to play, that’s where I’ll be ecstatic to go.”
Riley still remembers his roots and tries to follow his alma mater whenever he can. He keeps in touch with his former teammates and coaches, who also have been following his career closely.
“I’m glad to see that his work is paying off in the NFL,” current Duke defensive end Kenny Anunike, who knew Riley from his days playing tight end before a position change, said. “I saw he had a preseason touchdown catch…Eron is one of my good friends.”
And no doubt Anunike would be glad to say that one of his good friends has achieved his NFL dreams. Riley hasn’t yet reached that point, but he has cemented his status as a legitimate prospect after his brush with the active roster this season.
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