Riley is a steady, instinctive linebacker who plays with control and a clear understanding of his role in the defense. He brings consistency to the second level and rarely finds himself out of position, which allows him to stay productive snap after snap.

On film, Riley shows strong diagnosis skills. He reads run action quickly, keys the backfield well, and reacts without hesitation. That ability to process early helps him arrive on time and avoid taking false steps, especially against inside run concepts.

He’s at his best when fitting the run game, where he shows good leverage and willingness to step into contact. Riley plays with patience, keeping his gaps intact and forcing ball carriers back into traffic rather than chasing plays out of structure.

In pursuit, he works hard to stay involved and shows enough range to finish plays when they stretch horizontally. While not overly flashy, he is reliable in getting to where he needs to be and cleaning up tackles.