Daniel Vaughn Persa (born November 20, 1988) is an American former college football quarterback who played for the Northwestern Wildcats.

[1] His mother and sister both graduated from Pennsylvania State University, resulting in Persa wishing to play for the Nittany Lions as a child.

[2] While attending Liberty High School, Persa played football for three years and competed on their track and field team as a sprinter.

After throwing a 20-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Fields to win the game in the fourth quarter, Persa suffered an Achilles tendon rupture that required season-ending surgery to repair the injury.

[15] He injured his ankle during a practice, and the Indianapolis Colts medical team that examined him also diagnosed him with a second Achilles tear that required surgery.

[15] After failing to enter the NFL, Persa began working as an intern for Duke Realty Corporation under former NU quarterback Steve Schnur and in sales at IT firm Computer Aid Inc.