#40 Duke Riley Season 2023

2017 NFL Draft: 3rd round (75th overall) by Atlanta Falcons
2016 LSU Football MVP
2016 LSU Football Permanent Team Captain

CAREER
Emerged as a defensive standout for the Tigers as a senior in 2016 after playing a significant role on special teams during his first three years with the program … Played in 50 games with 13 starts during his career … Accumulated 144 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks … Added three quarterback hurries, one interception and recovered two fumbles … So respected by his teammates, was voted as LSU’s most valuable player and was cited as one of three permanent defensive team captains for the Tigers in 2016 … Participant in the 2017 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

SENIOR SEASON (2016)
Took over as a starter at outside linebacker for the Tigers and quickly became one of the leaders on the LSU defense … Started all 12 games for the Tigers and finished with 93 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks … Led the Tigers in total tackles (93) and ranked second on team in solo tackles (40) … Ranked No. 6 in the SEC in tackles per game with 7.8 … Teamed with Kendell Beckwith to form only duo from same school to finish in Top 10 in the SEC in tackles … Key member of LSU defense that allowed an FBS best 16 touchdowns all season, just 1.33 a contest … LSU also ranked No.2 in the SEC in scoring defense (15.8 points per game), rushing defense (117.2 yards per game) and total defense (293.0 yards per game) and No. 3 in the league in pass defense (197.2 yards per game) … Posted double-figure tackles in three games, including a career-best 15 in win over Ole Miss … Added an interception against Ole Miss, the only one of his career … Had 13 tackles against Auburn and 11 against Southern Miss … Registered nine tackles top-ranked Alabama as the Tigers held the Crimson Tide scoreless for three quarters … Led LSU with eight tackles and recovered a fumble in the 29-9 win over Louisville in the Citrus Bowl … Keyed an LSU defense against Louisville that limited the nation’s highest-scoring offense and the Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Lamar Jackson without a touchdown for the first time all season and to a season-low for points (9) … Led Tigers with eight tackles against Florida … Had a sack for a 9-yard loss in win over Arkansas … Recorded at least one tackle for loss in seven of LSU’s 12 games, including 2.0 vs. Alabama and 1.5 vs. Ole Miss.

JUNIOR SEASON (2015)
Played in all 12 games, seeing time as a reserve linebacker and also on special teams units … One of the team’s leading tacklers on special teams coverage … Finished the year with 24 tackles and half a tackle for a loss … Recorded seven tackles and half a tackle for a loss versus Eastern Michigan … Posted five tackles in the win over Auburn.

SOPHOMORE SEASON (2014)
Saw action in all 13 games with one start … Earned his first career start versus Louisiana-Monroe at the SAM linebacker spot … Racked up a career-high eight tackles in place of Lamar Louis against Louisiana-Monroe … Posted two tackles versus No. 14 Wisconsin, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Alabama … Recovered a fumble at Texas A&M on kickoff coverage in the second quarter that led to an LSU field goal and a 17-7 Tiger lead … Also a valuable member on LSU’s special teams units … Tied for the team lead with nine tackles on special teams.

FRESHMAN SEASON (2013)
Registered 13 appearances at linebacker and on LSU’s special team units … Posted a half tackle for a loss of eight yards when Auburn’s punter dropped the ball and tried to get off the punt … Collected a season’s best two tackles versus Arkansas.

HIGH SCHOOL
Honored as the 2012 Most Outstanding Defensive Player in Class 2A by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association … Also named to the 2012 Class 2A All-State Team by LSWA … Recorded 124 tackles in his senior season … Led John Curtis to the Class 2A State Championship in his junior and senior seasons … Racked up 10 total tackles and scored a touchdown on a 80-yard fumble recovery in the 2012 Class-2A State Championship Game … Earned MVP honors as a sophomore in the 2010 Class-2A Title Game where he recorded 21 tackles … A four-star recruit according to ESPN.com … Given three stars by Rivals.com, 247sports.com and Scout.com … Listed as the No. 17 prospect in Louisiana by ESPN.com … Ranked as the No. 23 prospect in Louisiana by 247sports.com … Rated as the No. 26 linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com … Coached by J.T. Curtis.

PERSONAL
Born Aug. 9, 1994 … Parents are Kesha Riley and Duke Bergham … Majoring in sport administration.

CAREER HIGHS
Total tackles: 14 vs. Ole Miss, 2016
Tackles for loss: 2.0 vs. Alabama, 2016
Sacks: 1.0 at Arkansas, 2016
Interceptions: 1 vs. Ole Miss, 2016

RILEY’S CAREER DEFENSIVE STATS