After leaving OSU, Riley ready to run

Steve Guiremand

Friday, April 2, 2004 | 9:30 a.m.

For JaJa Riley, the wait is finally over.

One year after transferring from 2002 national champion Ohio State, Riley, a 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, spent much of spring practice, which concluded on Thursday afternoon at Rebel Park, taking his share of carries with the first team offensive unit. And the junior from Mission Bay (Calif.) High School showed glimpses of why he was one of the most high heavily sought after running backs on the west coast after helping lead the Buccaneers to a 13-0 record and the the San Diego Division III title as a senior.

Simply put, Riley gives the Rebels their best power running back since Kevin Brown ran for 800 yards in the 2000 campaign.

"He's a big back and he's fast, too," senior linebacker Ryan Claridge said. "He's a strong runner and he's also a good blocker. He's tough to tackle."

"I think he's done everything we've asked him to do," running backs coach John Jackson said. "I think he's improving and he'll make a big contribution this fall."

The addition of Riley with senior speedster Dominique Dorsey, converted fullback Dyante Perkins, redshirt freshman Erick Jackson and a finally healthy Alvin Marshall gives UNLV it's deepest and most talented group of running backs since head coach John Robinson arrived six years ago.

"Spring practice has gone well the last few days," Riley said. "On a scale of one-to-10, I'd rate myself a six or a six-and-a-half. I've got to get better over the summer and work on a few things. But I finished up strong and I think that's the important thing."

"He clearly can run with the ball," Robinson said. "JaJa's a powerful runner and he has explosiveness. The running back position has a lot of pass receiving in it and blocking in it. And I think he's improved in all of those things."

Riley, who carried just 12 times for 44 yards for the 2002 national champion Buckeyes, said he's just happy to have been a big part of the running back rotation during the spring.

"It's been awhile," he said. "Basically, I'm just looking for the opportunity to play. It's been great getting to play for coaches like Coach Robinson and Coach Jackson. I've learned so much from each of them since I've been here."