5-11, 217, running back

Red Bank High School, Chattanooga, Tennessee

Full name: Gerald Antonio Riggs, Jr.

Born: September 28, 1983

Rankings: Thought of by most as the top player in the state of Tennessee. Named All-American by PrepStar, Parade Magazine, SuperPrep, Tom Lemming, Borderwars.com and Riddell Footwear … Ranked as the state of Tennessee’s top prospect by The Knoxville News-Sentinel and SuperPrep … Chosen as a five star prospect by Rivals.com and was selected as the nation’s No. 2 running back and No. 11 overall prospect … Tom Lemming named Riggs the country’s No. 2 running back and the No. 11 overall prospect …Picked by SuperPrep as the nation’s No. 4 tailback and the No. 26 overall prospect in the country …. Named Mr. Football as a junior and senior in Tennessee (Class 5A as a junior, Class 4A as a senior) … Listed among the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Super Southern 100 and The Dallas Morning News’ top 100 prospects nationally … Winner of the Chattanooga Times-News Free Press Best of Preps award for football in 2001 … Member of the East team in the U.S. Army All-American game in January 2002 … Named 2001 Bobby Dodd National Back of the Year by the Atlanta Touchdown Club.

Notables: As a senior rushed for 1,725 yards and 27 touchdowns as a senior … As a junior ran for 2,437 yards and 39 touchdowns leading Red Bank to the Class 5A state title earning MVP honors in the state title game … Also played linebacker where he finished his career with 225 tackles … In 1999, had 25 carries for 325 yards against Hixson with four touchdowns … In 2000, had five rushing touchdowns against Bradley Central … Helped team to a 37-12 record during his career making the playoffs all four years … Holds school career records for scoring (550 points), rushing yards (6,046 yards), touchdowns (90), and rushing attempts (724) … Also holds schools game records for longest rush (98) and yards in a game (325) … Also ran track as a junior where he has a best time of 10.6 seconds in the 100 meters.

Other schools visited: LSU and Nebraska

Getting to know Riggs:

Favorite movie: The Professional

Favorite book: The Hot Zone (Book the movie Outbreak was based on)

Favorite music: Rap, Hip-Hop, favorite group 3-6 Mafia

Favorite food: Soul Food

Person you model you game after: Edgerrin James. “He is not the biggest guy, but he gets it done,” Riggs said. “You never see him getting knocked back..”

Pre-game ritual or routine: “Listen to 3-6 Mafia,” Riggs said. “I am pretty serious before a game, but not quiet.”

Biggest influence on your life: Parents. “My dad has been there and made it,” Riggs said. “My mom has always been there for me and provided me with great strength.”

Person you would most like to have dinner: Walter Payton. “He was the man,” Riggs said. “Simply the best ever. I would loved to talk to him about how he survived and what made him standout both on and off the field.”