Persiano Prepares for Senior Year at Rhodes College
Nick Persiano is getting used to the middle linebacker position.
After two years as backup running back and outside linebacker, Persiano switched to inside linebacker and put together his best season of collegiate football at Rhodes College.
“I learned a new position and finally got to play a lot more last year,” Persiano said. “I felt good about the season went personally after I figured out how to play the position. Unfortunately, our team struggled. We only one game, but that one was pretty sweet. The other games were not so great. We beat Austin College in our second game of the season. That was one of my better games. I felt like my best game of the year was against Millsaps College. I earned the Defensive Player of the Week Award in that game. For me personally, I had a pretty good season. I played in nine out of 10 games and missed only one because I was sick.”
Persiano, who enters his senior season this fall, set career highs in games (nine), tackles (19), assists (18), total tackles (37), tackles for a loss (3.5) and sacks (one) as a junior in 2025. In a loss to Millsaps College, Persiano recorded a career-high eight tackles. He played in six games as a sophomore and notched four total tackles. As a freshman, he played in three games.
During his career, Persiano has registered 44 tackles over 20 games. He’s run the ball seven times for 21 yards and has caught one pass for four yards for the Lynx.
The 2023 graduate of Fellowship Christian School is excited about his senior year, which begins with fall training camp on Aug. 11. The Lynx opens the season versus Washington University on Sept. 5 at home.
“One of our team’s main goals is to win more football games,” Persiano said. “It’s hard to believe but I only have 10 games left. It’s weird to think about as my life has been about football for so long. Feels like 22 years! Personally, I’d like to step up as a leader and use my voice more. The coaches named me one of the captains. I think we made a lot of improvements in spring practice. The leading tackler from last season graduated. I want to lead the team in tackles this year.”
During Persiano’s career at the Memphis, Tenn., school, the team has notched a 10-21 overall record and a 6-16 record in SAA games. The Lynx went 6-4 (4-4) in his freshman year and 3-7 (2-5) in 2024.
Persiano has really found a home on the Rhodes team.
“It was so satisfying last year,” he said. “I went there three years ago as a running back, and I couldn’t stay healthy. Over time I switched to outside linebacker, and I finally convinced the coaches I could play. I proved that I could stay healthy too. I am so happy with my season individually.”
The players participate in summer Zoom team meetings and study film and workout on their own over the summer.
Persiano, a political science major with a pre-law track, had a great year in the classroom too during the 2025-26 school year. Persiano was named to the 2025 All-SAA Academic Honor Roll.
This summer Persiano is studying for the LSAT and is working as an intern for Malone Law, an insurance defense firm. He takes the LSAT in August.
“A lot of my classes are in the pre-law curriculum,” Persiano said. “Being a lawyer is something I’ve have thought about for a long time. My parents used to joke with me and say I was going to become a lawyer in the eighth grade. I have been studying a lot this summer because I wanted to focus on my classes during the school year.”
Fellowship prepared Persiano for college football well.
“It meant a lot for my development as a football player,” he said. “I learned a lot playing for two different staffs – Coach McFarlin and Coach Thompson. I enjoyed my time at fellowship. I keep up with a lot of my former teammates, especially Kyle Elphick. He’s been playing terrific at Stetson.”
(Photos courtesy of rhodeslynx.com, Nick Persiano)