Rappleyea grew up in Millbrook, New York, and initially attended Our Lady of Lourdes High School.[1] He transferred to Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts after his sophomore year.[2] While at Milton Academy, Rappleyea boarded in Wolcott House for all of his three years. Rappleyea caught 27 passes for 517 yards in nine games during his junior season.[3] As a senior he had 23 catches for 499 yards and six touchdowns.[4]
Rappleyea played in three games while he redshirted his true freshman season at Penn State.[8] He started the season opener of his redshirt freshman season, but suffered a season-ending injury in the game.[9]
