Former Texas safety Andrew Mukuba has staked a bold claim: local three-star safety Yaheim Riley, recently committed to Texas, is “the next big thing to come outta Austin.” Mukuba shared the praise on social media—reposting Riley’s photo in Longhorn gear on X (formerly Twitter) with that confident caption .
Mukuba’s endorsement carries significant weight. After three standout seasons at Clemson, he transferred to Texas for his senior year, making an immediate impact with 69 tackles, five interceptions, and six pass breakups—helping reenergize the Longhorn defense . His breakout performances boosted his draft stock, ultimately earning him a second-round pick (No. 64) by the Philadelphia Eagles in April 2025 .
Riley, a standout safety at Anderson High School, openly credits Mukuba’s success as a major inspiration. In a conversation with KVUE’s Cory Mose, Riley revealed that watching Mukuba transfer from Clemson and “blow up” in a single season encouraged him to follow a similar path—choosing Texas and LBJ High during recruitment .
Their connection runs deep. Both hail from Austin, played at LBJ High, and manned the safety position—creating an organic lineage in Texas’ secondary. Mukuba’s public show of support not only signifies mentorship but also sets an ambitious tone in anticipation of Riley’s collegiate career.
As Mukuba transitions to the NFL and debuts with the Eagles—bringing his elite instincts and playmaking to Vic Fangio’s secondary—Riley prepares to don the burnt orange next season and potentially mirror the success of his predecessor.
Mukuba’s prediction doesn’t come lightly: he knows firsthand what it takes to rise from high school standout to SEC playmaker, then onto a coveted spot in the NFL draft. Labeling Riley “the next big thing outta Austin” suggests the Longhorns could soon boast another homegrown star shaping their defensive identity.
With Mukuba’s full-throated endorsement and Riley’s promising trajectory, Texas fans might just have another impact defender in the making. The next chapter for Longhorn football’s secondary may well begin this fall—with Riley picking up Mukuba’s legacy and earning his own acclaim on the Forty Acres.
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