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)
• Became the first Dore ever to be named SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year
• Was also named to the Hampshire Honor Society and the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District team
• Recorded 47 total stops including a career-best seven behind the line of scrimmage
• Was credited with 3.5 sacks, a pass broken up and a team-leading nine QB hurries also
• Named the Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week after posting seven tackles with a career-high-tying with 2½ stops for loss highlighted by a sack in win at No. 11/10 South Carolina
• Chosen the SEC Defensive Player of the Week after pacing the Dores with six total stops in a victory at Virginia Tech, which included a career-best 2½ tackles behind the line with a sack
• Credited with a season-best eight tackles at No. 20/19 Texas
• Collected six tackles including a sack in victory at No. 18/18 Tennessee to end the regular season
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