Riley Tolsma

Ball State vs. Vanderbilt, October 19, 2024

Position:
Defensive Lineman
Ht./Wt.:
6-3 / 266
Class:
Graduate Student
Hometown:
Hamilton, Mich.
Prev School:
Hillsdale College
High School:
Hamilton HS

BEFORE BALL STATE: A transfer from Division II Hillsdale College, Tolsma was one of the Chargers’ top defensive linemen his last two seasons … he finished his 2023 campaign with first-team all-conference honors after a career-high 50 tackles, plus 6.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss … he was the GMAC’s player of the week after an 11-tackle effort against Northwood that included two sacks among three TFL, and a safety … in 2022, he was the Chargers’ most disruptive pass rusher with 7.5 sacks and 11 TFL, while also recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass … he twice earned Hillsdale’s defensive player of the week award, and three times earned the team’s special teams player of the week award … he played a reserve role in 10 of 12 games during the 2021 season, and posted a pair of tackles over three appearances as a first-year freshman in 2020.

HIGH SCHOOL: Tolsma was a three-sport athlete, two-year captain and standout linebacker at Hamilton High School in West Michigan … he was a consensus all-state player in 2019, earning Division 3/4 second team honors from the Associated Press and Division 4 first team honors from the MHSFCA … he also earned second-team All-Grand Rapids Press honors as a senior … Tolsma finished his prep career with the Hawkeyes with 252 tackles, seven interceptions and four forced fumbles … he earned three letters in track and a pair in basketball … he hopes to be a financial advisor one day, after pursuing a graduate degree in finance at Ball State.

PERSONAL: His sister Rachel Tolsma did Track and Field at Hillsdale College ... a favorite hobby is sports and all-around being active ... a favorite musician is Morgan Wallen ... a favorite athlete is Aidan Hutchinson, a current defensive end for the Detroit Lions.