Rashad Rainey

NEW MEXICO: A quick study who came to UNM in the summer of 2012 and worked his way to a starting role in the fall of 2012 … his season was cut short by an ankle injury … an athletic linebacker who should play faster as a senior in 2013 as he continues to learn the defense … needs to use his quickness off the ball to create havoc in the opponents’ backfield.2013 (SENIOR): Played in 11 games and started 10 … finished the season with 45 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss … tied for the team lead with a season-high nine tackles in UNM’s win at UTEP on Sept. 7 … recorded seven tackles against Utah St. on Oct. 19 … forced a fumble on Nov. 8 vs. Air Force.2012 (JUNIOR): Played in 10 games with nine starts, missing the last three games because of injury … seventh on the team with 40 tackles … also had 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry … made four tackles (two solo, two assist) and recorded half a tackle for a loss against Fresno State on Oct. 27 … was second among UNM linebackers with five total tackles (three solo, two assist) against Air Force on Oct. 20 … played his second straight tremendous game against Texas State on Oct. 6 … he finished the contest against the Bobcats with six tackles (one solo, five assist) and 1.5 sacks … led all linebackers with six tackles (three solo, three assist) against No. 24 Boise State on Sept. 29 … made four tackles (one solo, three assist) against New Mexico State on Sept. 22 … had a phenomenal game against No. 17 Texas on Sept. 8, making six solo tackles to tie for the team lead and assisted in one other … also recorded his first career sack against the Longhorns … he was also credited with a pass breakup and one quarterback hurry.

JUNIOR COLLEGE: A starter at Riverside Community College for former San Diego State coach Tom Craft his sophomore year … recorded 30 tackles with seven tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one safety on a Riverside defense that allowed just 277.7 yards per game in 2011 … Riverside won back-to-back Orange Empire Conference championships, compiling a 21-1 record during Rainey’s two years there.

HIGH SCHOOL: A graduate of John W. North High School in Riverside, Calif. … Was a first-team All-League and All-California Interscholastic Federation Inland Division selection as a senior … also lettered in track and field.

PERSONAL: Born Jan. 22, 1992 in Newport News, Virginia … full name is Rashad LeBeau Rainey … grandmother is Judy Heariold … has a sister, Kierra Cox and one brother, Darrell Rainey … made the honor roll at North High School.

<align=”center”>RAINEY CAREER STATS