Joshua Riley '19 Recruiting Profile

In 2015, I was pulled up to be the Varsity kicker as a 5’5” 115 pound freshman after the 3rd week. It was exciting, but a little terrifying. However, we had a great Senior Class that season and they instantly showed me they had my back. They nicknamed me “Kicker” and were always positive with me. In general, I didn’t want to fail, but after getting to know them and being welcomed with open arms, I definitely didn’t want to fail and affect a game negatively. The first few games were wins by two or more touchdowns and I made 15 straight PATs and my only FG. However the fourth game was Homecoming against a good team with a QB being recruited by Notre Dame, who was there that night. We were down by 14 with two minutes to go and the ball. We scored and I made the PAT. We kicked an onside kick and recovered it! We then scored with seconds to go and everyone was relying on a freshman to tie the game and go to overtime. I drained it right down the middle and got mobbed by my teammates! We won in OT! I knew I couldn’t let the upper classmen down, so I kept my head down and focused on watching my foot hit the sweet spot.

Being led by great leaders that season, showed me how being positive and performing for others and not just yourself can make you more successful as a team and individually. I am not the most vocal player, but after my freshman experience, I wanted to be that positive leader for others, as a Junior last season. I am the only trained kicker (since 5^th grade), but we have a few other players who are learning to kick. So, I have helped them with technique and encouraged them. I didn’t know how much they cared or how much I have helped, but this summer (2018), one of their mothers came up to me and thanked me for helping her son with his kicking technique and pushing him to be better. That felt good. Her son will probably be the kicker and punter after I graduate. So overall, I have learned to be a positive and encouraging leader to hopefully help those around me play as one and for others, which will give our team the best chance at success.

As far as my statistics go, I have been 163 of 170 on extra points (four were blocked), eight of 14 on field goals, and have 45 touchbacks on kickoffs over my four years of varsity.  I have also made four touchdown saving tackles on kickoffs and have kicked six successful onside type kicks.

I am looking to attend a mid-size university.  I want it to be big enough to meet a lot of new, diverse people, but small enough to not get lost in the crowd.  Currently, I am looking to major in Marketing, Business Management, or Fashion and Design.