Daniel Rickert

DE

#40

Experience: R

Height: 6-2

Age: 24

Weight: 232 lbs

College: Virginia

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Biography

Led Nolensville High School (Tennessee) to a TSSAA Class 4A Semifinals appearance in his senior year with an 11-3 record.

As a senior, recorded 75 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and two touchdowns.

Earned regional Lineman of the Year honors, was twice named to the all-region roster, and earned a spot on the Tennessee Football Coaches Association's All-State team.

Graduated from Tennessee Tech with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

COLLEGE

Appeared in 57 games (37 starts) at Virginia (2025) and Tennessee Tech (2020-2024) and totaled 165 tackles (82 solo), 41 tackles for loss, 25.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.
In 2025, appeared in all 14 games (one start) in his lone season at Virginia, logging 36 tackles (18 solo), eight tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Opened ACC play with season-highs in tackles (five) and sacks (2.0) in a 48-20 win against Stanford.
In 2024, played in 11 games (all starts) in his final season at Tennessee Tech and tallied 37 tackles (16 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks (first in OVC), and two forced fumbles.
Forced two fumbles and recovered one for a 50-yard touchdown at Gardner-Webb on 9/28/24.
Earned First Team All-Big South/Ohio Valley Conference and PhilSteele.com Second-Team All-Big South/OVC honors in 2023 and 2024.
Voted by his teammates as the recipient of Tennessee Tech's Robert Hill Johnson Award, the program's highest honor following the 2024 season.
Named Big South/OVC Defensive Player of the Week on 11/18/24.
In 2023, started in all 11 games and logged career-highs with 49 tackles (32 solo), 14.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, three pass breakups and three passes defended.
Totaled a career-best seven tackles on two occasions against North Alabama on 9/16/23 and at Robert Morris on 10/28/23.
In 2022, appeared in four games (all starts) and recorded 15 tackles (five solo), 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks.
In fall 2021, played in 11 games (five starts) and tallied 15 tackles (seven solo), two tackles for loss, and 1.0 sack.
In spring 2021, appeared in six games (five starts) and logged 13 tackles (four solo) and two tackles for loss.

PERSONAL

Led Nolensville High School (Tennessee) to a TSSAA Class 4A Semifinals appearance in his senior year with an 11-3 record.
As a senior, recorded 75 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and two touchdowns.
Earned regional Lineman of the Year honors, was twice named to the all-region roster, and earned a spot on the Tennessee Football Coaches Association's All-State team.
Graduated from Tennessee Tech with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.