Student-Athlete Features
The Tennessean – How Nick Rinaldi went from football novice to breakout LB
VUCommodores.com – The Process for Progress
As a Junior (2024)
• CSC Academic All-District
• SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
• Led the team with a career-best 10 tackles in the Birmingham Bowl win over Georgia Tech
• Had a pair of sacks against the Yellow Jackets
• Recovered the fumble forced by CJ Taylor during the Tennessee game
• Sacked Texas’ quarterback, marking four straight games recording a sack
• Led the Commodore defense with seven tackles and a sack in defeat of Ball State
• Recovered the first fumble of his career and made a sack in win at Kentucky
• Registered the first sack of his career in win over Alabama
As a Sophomore (2023)
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District
• SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
• Played in all 12 games
• Recorded 21 tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception during the 2023 season
• Made five tackles in the game versus Georgia
• Recorded a career-high six tackles at Florida
• Made his first career interception with one minute left in the fourth quarter at UNLV
As a Freshman (2022)
• Named to SEC First Year Academic Honor Roll
• Played in four games
• Made collegiate debut against Georgia
• Collected first tackle against Missouri
• Added single tackles against South Carolina and Kentucky
The Rinaldi File
• Tri-Valley League All-Star in football, basketball and track
• Did not play high school football until senior season