More from the Los Angeles Daily News on Rios:
After spending much of his freshman season on that football practice field, his vantage point offered a fresh perspective on life.
After a rare fungal infection nearly took his life, Rios was infused with a new antidote.
Motivation.
He overcame a life-threatening illness that still requires monitoring.
He rebuilt his body from virtually the ground up.
And he not only regained his place on a nationally ranked college football team, but he delivered a season-saving interception mere months after getting the upper hand on a most unforgiving medical condition.