PRO: Mike Rivera is a physical, hard-working player that will compete for a roster spot at linebacker with the Titans in 2010. The former Jayhawks standout will line up at middle linebacker as well as on special teams coverage units.
TITANS TIDBITS:
• After his playing career is over Rivera would like to work in a collegiate athletic department. He has his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Kansas and is working towards his Master’s degree in Sports Administration from the school.
• Rivera’s high school, Shawnee Mission NW, has produced a number of recent NFL players. Rivera played with current Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain and current Kansas City Chiefs guard Ryan Lilja also attended the school.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Shawnee Mission, Kan., native was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent in 2009.
• Released by the Bears on Sept. 5, 2009.
• Signed by the Titans to their practice squad on Sept. 7, 2009.
COLLEGE:
• Saw action in 51 career games with 36 starts at Kansas (2004-2008) where he was a three-time all-conference honoree and two-time academic all-Big 12 selection.
• Posted 300 career tackles (167 solo), 26 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, an interception, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
• As a senior, named all-Big 12 honorable mention after finishing third on the team with 93 tackles. Played in 13 games with 11 starts and posted eight tackles for loss, two sacks, four passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.
• As a junior, started all 13 games and was selected All-Big 12 team honorable mention by the coaches. Collected a career-high 96 tackles, and a career-best 10.5 tackles for loss. Ranked second on the team with
three sacks and seven passes defensed. Also posted his only career interception and added two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
• As a sophomore, tabbed All-Big 12 honorable mention by both the coaches and press as a sophomore. Started all 12 games at middle linebacker, leading the Jayhawks with 90 tackles (66 solo). Led the team with eight quarterback pressures and added 7.5 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
• As a redshirt freshman, appeared in all 12 games all on special teams and gathered 20 tackles (11 solo).
• Redshirted as a true freshman even though he appeared in one game and registered one tackle.
• Majored in communications at Kansas.
PERSONAL:
• Single and splits time between Nashville and Lawrence, Kan.
• Attended Shawnee Mission NW High School where he was named the Sun Country Defensive Player of the Year.
• Earned All-Sunflower League and All-Johnson County first-team accolades, in addition to being named All-conference honorable mention on the offensive side of the ball as a tight end.
• Also lettered in track for three years.
• Has been involved with a number of community service events including Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics and READ program.
• Born Mike Anthony Rivera on Jan. 10, 1986 in Shawnee Mission, Kan.
PRO: Mike Rivera is a physical, hard-working player that will compete for a roster spot at linebacker with the Titans in 2010. The former Jayhawks standout will line up at middle linebacker as well as on special teams coverage units.
TITANS TIDBITS:
• After his playing career is over Rivera would like to work in a collegiate athletic department. He has his bachelor’s degree in Communications from Kansas and is working towards his Master’s degree in Sports Administration from the school.
• Rivera’s high school, Shawnee Mission NW, has produced a number of recent NFL players. Rivera played with current Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain and current Kansas City Chiefs guard Ryan Lilja also attended the school.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Shawnee Mission, Kan., native was originally signed by the Chicago Bears as a rookie free agent in 2009.
• Released by the Bears on Sept. 5, 2009.
• Signed by the Titans to their practice squad on Sept. 7, 2009.
COLLEGE:
• Saw action in 51 career games with 36 starts at Kansas (2004-2008) where he was a three-time all-conference honoree and two-time academic all-Big 12 selection.
• Posted 300 career tackles (167 solo), 26 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 16 passes defensed, an interception, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
• As a senior, named all-Big 12 honorable mention after finishing third on the team with 93 tackles. Played in 13 games with 11 starts and posted eight tackles for loss, two sacks, four passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered.
• As a junior, started all 13 games and was selected All-Big 12 team honorable mention by the coaches. Collected a career-high 96 tackles, and a career-best 10.5 tackles for loss. Ranked second on the team with
three sacks and seven passes defensed. Also posted his only career interception and added two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
• As a sophomore, tabbed All-Big 12 honorable mention by both the coaches and press as a sophomore. Started all 12 games at middle linebacker, leading the Jayhawks with 90 tackles (66 solo). Led the team with eight quarterback pressures and added 7.5 tackles for loss, five passes defensed, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
• As a redshirt freshman, appeared in all 12 games all on special teams and gathered 20 tackles (11 solo).
• Redshirted as a true freshman even though he appeared in one game and registered one tackle.
• Majored in communications at Kansas.
PERSONAL:
• Single and splits time between Nashville and Lawrence, Kan.
• Attended Shawnee Mission NW High School where he was named the Sun Country Defensive Player of the Year.
• Earned All-Sunflower League and All-Johnson County first-team accolades, in addition to being named All-conference honorable mention on the offensive side of the ball as a tight end.
• Also lettered in track for three years.
• Has been involved with a number of community service events including Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics and READ program.
• Born Mike Anthony Rivera on Jan. 10, 1986 in Shawnee Mission, Kan.
