Rhodes Jr. lands All-SEC nod after choosing to stay with Razorbacks

Quincy Rhodes Jr. picked up the only recognition from the SEC media at Media Days this week and his return announcement is still being talked about.

He was the first to announce he was coming back when Ryan Silverfield was officially named to replace Sam Pittman as Arkansas’ coach.

It’s not like he didn’t have options.

The senior defensive lineman had a shot at the NFL Draft and could’ve picked a different program entirely. He stayed anyway.

That choice paid off again on Friday.

Rhodes was named Second Team Preseason All-SEC by the league’s media during SEC Media Days in Tampa and he stood alone as the lone Hog to earn a spot on either preseason all-conference team.

“It means a lot, being in my senior year, staying and taking the time out to, again, understand the game a lot more,” Rhodes said at Media Days. “It has prepared me for the next level. That also helped me, returning has put me in the position to where I can understand the game more and understand how football actually works.”

The North Little Rock native only had one career start heading into last season but he made it count once given the chance.

Rhodes racked up 44 total tackles and tied for second in the SEC with 15.5 tackles for loss while his eight sacks ranked fifth in the league.

Those same numbers from a season ago are exactly what pushed voters to recognize him again this summer.

Rhodes leaned on family through the doubt

Like most kids growing up in the Natural State Rhodes pictured himself playing big time college football long before it happened.

There were times he wasn’t sure it would though. His father Quincy Rhodes Sr. became the steady voice that kept him grounded.

“Being from North Little Rock, I’ve never seen myself here,” Rhodes said. “My dad’s always believed in me, and I would tell my dad my vision. And when I would doubt myself, he would kind of get mad at me because he asked me and he told me if this is what I want, I got to learn how to believe in myself.

“I just try to remain as humble as I can and not think too much of myself because it could cause you to be boastful and all that stuff. So I just try to stay within the median and just stay calm, cool and collected.”

That mindset is part of why Silverfield believes Rhodes hasn’t peaked yet even after landing on the preseason All-SEC list.

“He’s still scratching the surface,” Silverfield said. “That’s one thing about Quincy that I love is he knows that he has more upside. So we’re continuing to push him.

“His body has already changed in the short time with our new strength and conditioning staff. We are seeing him take steps in the right direction in a leadership role.”

A relationship that predates the transfer portal era

Silverfield first crossed paths with Rhodes when the coach still ran the program at Memphis and Rhodes was just a junior in high school looking for his first offer.

That bond mattered when decision time came around this offseason following the Razorbacks’ rough 2-10 finish.

“Right when I got the job and met with the team and I go back into my office and start working, of course, QJ comes up to my office and just wants to talk,” Silverfield recalled. “We’re just chopping it up, talking, and discussing things.

“We get on a phone call with his dad, and Quincy said, man, if you hadn’t got this job, I’m not sure I would still be sitting here today.”

Arkansas fielded a defense that finished last in the SEC last season and Rhodes says the group’s success this fall will come down to trust between teammates.

“Understanding our scheme, understanding each other, because the biggest thing for a successful defense is who you are playing next to and what their weaknesses are,” Rhodes explained. “And if you guys can complement each other and pick up where they may be weak, I think that is what helps the defense, and it can showcase a strong defense.”

The Razorbacks head into fall camp on Aug. 5 before opening the season against North Alabama on Sept. 5 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

Key takeaways

• Quincy Rhodes Jr. is the lone Razorback named to a preseason All-SEC team this summer
• Rhodes turned down NFL Draft buzz to return to Arkansas for a senior season under Ryan Silverfield
• Silverfield’s relationship with Rhodes dates back to his time as Memphis’ head coach