Devon Rivers following path carved by dad, brother, league rivals to Fresno State, the NFL

Close-knit, competitive family, quiet resolve, Barry Sanders approach leads youngest Rivers from Heritage in direction of brother Ronnie, BVAL alums Najee Harris, Joe Mixon and Taiwan Jones

BRENTWOOD, Calif. — Heritage-Brentwood senior running back Devon Rivers had just finished carving up another North Coast Section opponent — scoring five touchdowns in just over 15 minutes of a 49-18 Thursday night win against an over-matched Deer Valley-Antioch squad — when the line of questioning started.

What’s it like to have a dad (Ron) play in the NFL?

Now that your brother (Ronnie) just made it there (with the Rams) — how does that feel?

Do you feel pressure to get there also?

Who was better growing up?

To all of it, Devon listened intently, smiled big and delivered thoughtful answers.

Watch complete interview with Devon, his family and game footage above

As the youngest and third of the Rivers’ children — the oldest, daughter Malia played college softball — Devon has sprinted gracefully through the large spotlight cast by his siblings and father before him.

Rather than shriveling up to the pressure of living up to two record-breaking rushers at Fresno State — Ronnie broke most of his dad’s old marks — Devon embraces it all with a warm disposition, quiet manner, competitive edge and obvious gifted talent base.

Devon Rivers (20) on his way to the first of five touchdowns in a 49-18 win over Deer Valley on Oct. 20. Photo: Jenn Rhinebeck/Heritage HS

It helps that he considers his brother — five years older — his best friend and respects the heck out of his dad.

“I don’t see (any of) it as pressure,” said Devon, the section’s leading rusher with 1,558 yards and touchdown maker with 23 in eight games. “I see it more as a gift to have family members who have been where I want to go.”

No shortage of leadership

Despite his lack of size — 5-foot-7, 175 pounds — he’s following his dad and brother to Fresno State. He committed to the Bulldogs last November and now has other offers to New Mexico and UNLV.

His dad and brother were undersized as well, but it didn’t stop them from reaching the sports’ pinnacle. 

Like his brother, Devon is tremendously shifty, a little more powerful and good at all the little things: receiving, blocking and even coming up to hit people from his cornerback spot.

Ron, who coached Ronnie at nearby Freedom-Oakley High School, is now an assistant at Heritage. 

He didn’t have to do or say much on this night as Devon scored from 38-yards out on the game’s second play and added TD runs of 8, 5, 35 and 5 yards over the next 14 minutes in a 49-18 home win over Deer Valley-Antioch. 

With Ronnie in attendance (it was the Rams' bye week), Devon finished with 13 carries for 154 yards.

After each score, Devon simply flipped the ball to the official and shook hands (not slapped) with teammates before jogging off the field in a very old-school celebration routine. Each of his teammates tapped him on the back of the helmet after firm 1960-style handshakes. 

It seemed reminiscent of a Barry Sanders commemoration. Professional. Low key. Respectful.

Heritage athletic director Nate Smith, a former head football coach at nearby Liberty-Brentwood, said that’s just Devon’s way. You’d never know he’s the team’s star or school career rushing and touchdown leader.

“The biggest thing about Devon is that he is the epitome of a leader by example,” Smith said. “He's not a big talker, not a hype guy, but he just brings tremendous effort all day, every day.

“He does that during the season and out of season, and brings the same approach to his other sports. Even better, he carries himself the same way around campus, as a humble, hard-working young man who greets and treats everyone with respect."

'He likes the contact'

It’s something modeled from home.

Devon said he’s never had posters hanging up or athletic idols in general. Except his own bloodlines.

“I just really always looked up to my brother and dad,” he said. “I just tried to be as good as them or better.”

Asked if he gets bothered when compared to either, Devon said: “I respect my brother and his game a lot and have such a good relationship with both of them when people bring their name up, it’s not about jealousy. It’s more that I just want to see them do well.”

Rams running back Ronnie Rivers (left) poses with Devon after Heritage's 49-18 win over Deer Valley on Oct. 20. Photo: Mitch Stephens

Ronnie did very well at Freedom, piling up 4,930 rushing yards and 67 touchdowns during a four-year career. 

He left Fresno State as the school record holder in career touchdowns (62), rushing touchdowns (40), receiving yards as a running back (1,417) and pass receiver (150).

In four seasons at Heritage — the COVID season was only five games — Devon has 3,723 career rushing yards and 50 touchdowns. Heading into Friday’s big BVAL home game with state-ranked Pittsburg, he’s played nine prep games fewer than Ronnie.

“Devon is making his own path,” Ron said. “He runs a little different than Ronnie. He likes to be more physical. He likes the contact. I’m not saying Ronnie doesn’t like contact, but he’s got a lot better at it.

“In high school Ronnie would go by people. Devon doesn’t mind putting his shoulder down and trying to run through someone. He’s learning how to do both.”

Comparison and competition is part of the family structure, Ron said. So is eating meals together. Supporting one another. Not holding back. 

Malia offers firm football feedback as well. All of it is welcomed. 

“It keeps us sharp and motivated, looking to get better," Ron said. "It’s good to have an older brother who played, who is now in the NFL to go ‘hey you missed this,’ or ‘hey get your pads out.’ Even though I’ve done it. I’m still dad.

“It’s nice to see they’re all working together. It’s a good family mix.”

Not a lawfirm: Harris, Mixon, Jones and Rivers

Myla, Ron’s wife and the children’s mom, said it’s a joy to see how close Ronnie and Devon are. The brothers Facetime almost every night. Play video games remotely.

“They’re very similar,” Myla said. “Obviously there are things that are different about the kids, but because of Ron, all three are super competitive. If you ask each one now, they’ll each say they are the fastest. Including Malia.”

Devon has more competition to aspire to.

Devon Rivers rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns in a 54-14 win over Granada-Livermore.undefinedPhoto: Jenn Rhinebeck/Heritage HS

Besides his brother, three other current NFL running backs all played in the same Bay Valley Athletic League, where Heritage (6-2, 2-1) currently is tied for second place.

The other former BVAL backs are Taiwan Jones (Bills, Deer Valley graduate), Najee Harris (Steelers, Antioch) and Joe Mixon (Bengals, Freedom).

Ron coached Mixon at Freedom, where the current Bengals standout piled up 4,281 career rushing yards and 57 touchdowns.

In Jones’ senior year at Deer Valley, he rushed for 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Harris had the biggest prep career among the quartet with 7,948 rushing yards at Antioch (first in San Francisco Bay Area history) and 94 touchdowns.

All were superb receivers out of the backfield, returners and defenders.

Devon said watching his brother get his first carry and catch with the Rams on Oct. 16 was a “Wow. It was really a cool experience to see my brother do his thing.”

And seeing the whole lot from the same six-team league in East Contra Costa County reach the top of the football mountain?

“The BVAL is a really, really good and tough league,” Devon said. “To say I can compete with some of the best and hopefully get there someday would be a really cool thing.

“My dad coached (Mixon) and my brother so if they got to the NFL it makes me think it could really happen for me.” 

Ron Rivers, former NFL running back, Heritage coach and Devon's dad. Photo: Mitch Stephens

Myla Rivers, Devon's mom and Ron's wife. Photo: Mitch Stephens

Devon Rivers breaks free versus Granada. Photo: Jenn Rhinebeck/Heritage HS

Devon Rivers about to break free with the first of his five touchdowns versus Deer Valley.undefinedPhoto: Jenn Rhinebeck/Heritage HS