University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Jalen Rima: A Family Affair
4/13/2017 8:19:00 AM | Football
By Alli Distler
UNI Athletic Communications Student Intern
With starting football back in the third grade, Jalen Rima has made his way into playing collegiate football for the UNI Panthers. It was a passion that started young, but with great determination and a family full of support that dream became a reality for Rima this past year.
Rima took it step by step beginning his college career. His first goal coming into his freshman season at UNI was to play and then start. He knew it was going to take a lot of hard work and dedication and that is exactly what he put in.
"I just focus on one thing and one thing only, just football," the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native said. "I don't pay attention to the things around me, I just focus on what I need to do."
When Rima is on the field all he thinks about is football and doesn't let the outside distractions in. Rima said that the biggest challenges for the upcoming seasons will be staying hungry, and not being satisfied.
Even the best athletes know that there is never a guarantee for playing time and that is what keeps them pushing ahead. Some of the best advice Rima has received came from one of his coaches here at UNI.
 "My former wide receivers coach, Ryan Mahaffey told me, 'don't take people telling you that you are good as a compliment,'" Rima said.
Growing up, Rima has been involved in football, track, baseball and basketball. Rima was named named third team all-state, all-district and all-metro in high school for football. He holds his high schools record for touchdowns in a season with 16 and averaged 19.4 yards per play in 2015 as a senior.
As he heads into his sophomore year, he is far from looking like an underclassman on the field. With his 94-yard punt return against Indiana State being the longest in UNI football history, he isn't going to settle for just one record.
He joked around and said his favorite memory was the punt return against the Sycamores because when he crossed the end zone, he did it with a "track" finish. With the speed Rima produces from his track and field days at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School, Rima went on to score four total touchdowns in 2016, two coming on special teams.Â
Rima was a back-to-back track state champion in the 200 and 400 as well as the 100 and the 4x100 his senior year. This multi-sport athlete also won the baseball state tournament, proving he is quite the decorated athlete.
Being a Panther runs in the Rima family. His grandfather, Gary Rima, is the radio announcer for the UNI Panthers, and his dad played baseball at UNI as well. His dad is his biggest inspiration.
"My dad has been there my whole life with sports," Rima said.
He would always push him to the best he could be, just like his grandfather. The main question Rima gets asked is if they had any influence on his decision to come to UNI. He said it wasn't the deciding factor, but it was a big part of coming here.
As for now, Rima is working in the off season to bring an even better season next year. Rima and the Panthers kick off the 2017 season on Saturday, Sep. 2 against the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa.Â
Â
UNI Athletic Communications Student Intern
With starting football back in the third grade, Jalen Rima has made his way into playing collegiate football for the UNI Panthers. It was a passion that started young, but with great determination and a family full of support that dream became a reality for Rima this past year.
Rima took it step by step beginning his college career. His first goal coming into his freshman season at UNI was to play and then start. He knew it was going to take a lot of hard work and dedication and that is exactly what he put in.
"I just focus on one thing and one thing only, just football," the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native said. "I don't pay attention to the things around me, I just focus on what I need to do."
When Rima is on the field all he thinks about is football and doesn't let the outside distractions in. Rima said that the biggest challenges for the upcoming seasons will be staying hungry, and not being satisfied.
Even the best athletes know that there is never a guarantee for playing time and that is what keeps them pushing ahead. Some of the best advice Rima has received came from one of his coaches here at UNI.
 "My former wide receivers coach, Ryan Mahaffey told me, 'don't take people telling you that you are good as a compliment,'" Rima said.
Growing up, Rima has been involved in football, track, baseball and basketball. Rima was named named third team all-state, all-district and all-metro in high school for football. He holds his high schools record for touchdowns in a season with 16 and averaged 19.4 yards per play in 2015 as a senior.
As he heads into his sophomore year, he is far from looking like an underclassman on the field. With his 94-yard punt return against Indiana State being the longest in UNI football history, he isn't going to settle for just one record.
He joked around and said his favorite memory was the punt return against the Sycamores because when he crossed the end zone, he did it with a "track" finish. With the speed Rima produces from his track and field days at Cedar Rapids Prairie High School, Rima went on to score four total touchdowns in 2016, two coming on special teams.Â
Rima was a back-to-back track state champion in the 200 and 400 as well as the 100 and the 4x100 his senior year. This multi-sport athlete also won the baseball state tournament, proving he is quite the decorated athlete.
Being a Panther runs in the Rima family. His grandfather, Gary Rima, is the radio announcer for the UNI Panthers, and his dad played baseball at UNI as well. His dad is his biggest inspiration.
"My dad has been there my whole life with sports," Rima said.
He would always push him to the best he could be, just like his grandfather. The main question Rima gets asked is if they had any influence on his decision to come to UNI. He said it wasn't the deciding factor, but it was a big part of coming here.
As for now, Rima is working in the off season to bring an even better season next year. Rima and the Panthers kick off the 2017 season on Saturday, Sep. 2 against the Iowa State Cyclones in Ames, Iowa.Â
Â
Players Mentioned
WR
/ FootballPST: Todd Stepsis - Nov. 14, 2025 (Part 1 of 3)
Friday, November 14
PST: Todd Stepsis - Nov. 14, 2025 (Part 2 of 3)
Friday, November 14
PST: Todd Stepsis - Nov. 14, 2025 (Part 3 of 3)
Friday, November 14
PST: Harrison Bey-Buie (2025)
Friday, November 14