Forrest Rhyne

Forrest Rhyne is in his first season as a member of the Villanova coaching staff in 2025. One of the top linebackers in school history, he returned to campus after a professional playing career which included appearing in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. Rhyne earned a full-time position on Mark Ferrante’s staff and will work with the Wildcats linebackers.  

During both his playing days and his burgeoning career in the coaching ranks, Rhyne has made a name for himself with regards to his keen instincts and game preparation. His work ethic and attention to detail allowed him to develop into one of the top linebackers in the country while wearing a Villanova uniform, and during Rhyne’s final collegiate season in 2021 his 154 total tackles were the most of any FBS or FCS player nationwide. He finished second in the voting for that year’s Buck Buchanan Award which is presented to the top defensive player in the FCS. 

Rhyne signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and spent time on the team’s practice squad and active roster before making his NFL debut during Week 12 of the 2022 campaign when he registered a tackle in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went on to sign offseason contracts with the Steelers in 2023 and the BC Lions of the CFL in 2024.  

While playing for the Wildcats, Rhyne was a three-time member of the CAA Football First Team Defense and was chosen as the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. He finished his collegiate career with 309 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. 

Rhyne now joins the coaching ranks for a positional group which has continued to flourish in recent seasons. Last year the Villanova duo of Brendan Bell and Shane Hartzell became the first pair of Wildcats linebackers to earn first team All-CAA nods in the same year since 2010. Bell was an All-American in 2024 and Hartzell is garnering preseason All-America buzz entering the 2025 season.