Collins was the third back in a two-back rushing attack for East Bladen last season. The Eagles lose one of those two backs to graduation, so Collins could see a huge increase in carries as a senior. He averaged over six yards a carry last season, and the talent is there for a late breakout.

Riley Collins Riley Collins 6'0" | 170 lbs | RB/ATH East Bladen | 2027 NC is the type of back that changes the energy of an offense the moment he touches the football. The East Bladen standout is a powerful runner with breakaway speed — arguably one of the fastest athletes on this Sharks roster. Once he hits the second level, it’s usually over. He runs with controlled aggression, combining strength and acceleration in a way that makes defenders take poor angles.

What makes Collins even more impressive is his stoic presence. His emotions never waver. Big play, tough loss, long drive — he stays even-keeled and locked in. With the ball in his hands, he’s electric, but between the whistles he carries himself like a quiet professional. He can also make tough catches in traffic, showing that he’s more than just a downhill runner.

At 6’0″ with a strong frame, Collins has the build to comfortably reach 180–190 pounds at the next level without losing his speed. Add in his relentless work ethic, and you’re looking at a high-upside back who embodies the developmental foundation this 11th-season Sharks team is built on.

In a heavy run offense, Riley has a few talented juniors ahead of him in the pecking order, but he showed enough in some limited carries to get onto our watchlist for his class. I like the “feel” Riley shows with the ball in his hands – East Bladen runs a lot from multiple back formations, and Riley shows the patience to allow blocks to form in front of him before showing a nice change of pace when he gets into space with speed and acceleration. Riley has good vision and gets north/south with little wasted motion or effort. I like his potential going forward.