2007: Played in all 11 games ... posted 21 tackles ... recovered a fumble against Western Kentucky ... blocked a kick against Appalachian State ... Ranked third on the squad with a 635-pound squat and third in the bench press with a 430-pound lift.
2006: Participated in all 11 games, starting the first three at defensive end ... Tallied 20 tackles with 14 solo hits ... Recorded one quarterback sack and four tackles for loss ... Also caused a fumble ... Had three games with at least three tackles ... Registered three tackles at Memphis ... Credited with two tackles in win over Georgia Southern ... Set career high with six stops in win at Western Carolina and posted two tackles behind the line ... Totaled five solo hits against Jacksonville State.
2005: Began the season at linebacker ... Moved to the defensive line early in the year ... Participated in the first six games of the season ... Drew his first career start in the win at Liberty, playing defensive end ... Suffered a season-ending knee injury on the artificial turf at Liberty ... Injury was to his opposite knee from the previous season’s injury ... Underwent successful surgery ... Recorded eight tackles on the year ... Broke up two passes and fell on a fumble ... Credited with three hits at Georgia Southern ... Had a fumble recovery and made three tackles in win over Wofford ... Made a stop and deflected two passes at Liberty before suffering his injury in the second quarter ... Was unable to practice in the spring while completing rehabilitation on his surgically-repaired knee.
2004: Unable to practice and compete ... Underwent successful surgery and continued rehabilitation throughout the year ... Transferred to UTC from East Tennessee State following 2003 season when the school discontinued the football program ... Had a fabulous spring and was slated for starting position before injury ... Tore ligaments in his knee in the offseason following spring practice.
EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY: A reserve linebacker in 2003 ... Participated in all 12 games ... Credited with 10 total tackles ... Made two hits behind the line ... Registered one quarterback sack in win over Concord College ... Had a tackle for loss in win over UTC ... Set season high with two tackles against both Concord and Western Carolina ... Wore jersey No. 1 ... Coached at ETSU by Paul Hamilton.
HIXSON HIGH SCHOOL: Collected 92 tackles as a senior to lead the Wildcats ... Also credited with six tackles for loss and six forced fumbles ... Recovered four fumbles and returned two for touchdowns ... Caught one touchdown pass as a tight end ... Named to Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of Preps All-City Team ... A Preseason Super 13 selection ... Won HHS’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player Award senior year ... Voted team captain as a junior and senior ... Elected Most Outstanding Sophomore ... Team went 6-5 his sophomore and senior years and 5-5 his junior season ... Coached at Hixson by Todd Windham ... Also lettered four years in basketball and three in track.
Nichlas Rivers III ... Born April 24, 1985 in Chattanooga ... Son of Terrie and Nichlas Rivers ... Majoring in Business Administration.
