2016: All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Honorable Mention selection ... started all 12 games at outside linebacker for the Redbirds … led the team in tackles and tied for eighth in the MVFC in tackles per game (7.9) and total tackles (95) … finished the regular season with 95 total tackles (43 solo, 52 unassisted) and also added a sack and two interceptions … posted three double-digit tackle efforts on the season … returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown in the season-opener against Valparaiso (Sept. 3) … led the Redbird defense in tackles with 12 against South Dakota (Oct. 22).
2015: Started all 13 games at outside linebacker for the Redbirds ... ranked second on the team with 83 total tackles, 42 of which were solo stops ... added a sack, four tackles for loss and was credited with two quarterback hurries ... recorded three double-digit tackle efforts ... posted six tackles and a sack in a win over Northern Iowa ... tallied a career-high 12 tackles and a half TFL in the Homecoming win over Western Illinois ... followed that with 10 stops the next week in a victory over Indiana State ... credited with 11 tackles and a career-best two TFLs in the road win at Southern Illinois.
2014: Played in 14 games as a reserve linebacker and was a key contributor on special teams ... finished the season with 10 total tackles ... recorded five of those stops in the season-opening win over Mississippi Valley State ... added a pair of tackles in the FCS playoff quarterfinal win at Eastern Washington.
2013: Member of the practice squad.
2012: Redshirted.
Sterling HS:Three-year starter for head coach Greg King ... all-conference and IHSA Class 5A all-state selection ... rushed for 1,125 yards on offense as a senior ... totaled 135 tackles on defense and was named the conference defensive player of the year ... also named an all-academic selection ... helped team win a conference championship and post a 9-2 record overall ... all-conference and all-academic pick as a junior ... also played baseball, ran track and played one season of basketball.
Personal:Born June 14, 1994 in Amarillo, Texas ... son of Rogelio and Cilvia Rivera ... one of four children ... his brother, Nikolas, played basketball at Eureka and his sister, Nikole, played basketball at Loras ... majoring in accounting.
