Quincy Rhodes Jr.: ‘I feel like its my time’

Arkansas junior defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. has possibly the biggest shoes to fill of any individual Razorback starter coming into the 2025 season.

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound North Little Rock alumnus is taking over for Landon Jackson, who was tabbed Second Team All-SEC last fall and later drafted 72nd overall by the Buffalo Bills. While he naturally draws comparisons to Jackson, Rhodes is just looking to be the best version of himself.

“Just take advantage of every opportunity that I get,” Rhodes said. “Knowing the game, knowing the ins and outs of it and knowing my opponent, most definitely. And really just breaking everything down and also being myself on the field. I think that’s what got Landon to where he is now and he’s pointed out the same things to me.”

Quincy Rhodes Jr. aiming to build off of Liberty Bowl start

Rhodes was the consensus No. 2 overall player in Arkansas for the 2023 class and racked up 84 tackles, including 11.5 sacks, during his senior prep season. He appeared in nine games his freshman year with the Hogs and mostly contributed on special teams, logging one tackle on the season.

Rhodes’ playing time increased as a sophomore as he played in 12 of Arkansas’ 13 games and logged 230 snaps at end according to Pro Football Focus. He earned his first collegiate start in Arkansas’ 39-26 Liberty Bowl win over Texas Tech, in which he collected two tackles and broke up a pass. On the season, Rhodes finished with 15 tackles, including two for loss and a sack.

“I feel as if it was the start of a new me personally,” Rhodes said of his performance, but he believes he left plenty to prove.

“I feel I could have done a lot better. Now, with Landon gone I feel like it’s my time. So I’ve just got to live up to expectations and expectations on myself.”

Defensive line has endured depth concerns

The most concerning topic over the past week has been the depth – or lack thereof – on the defensive line, particularly at tackle.

Fifth-year senior Cam Ball is a lock for one of the tackle spots, while senior Danny Saili figures to pencil in at the other, but it gets thin after them due to a knee injury to Abilene Christian transfer David Oke.

Because of that, the coaching staff made the decision to flip veteran offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock over to defense.

“He’s been a great addition to the room,” Rhodes said of Blackstock. ” I know he’s been in and out of the team meeting rooms with my coaches – Coach (Hopper), Coach Adams, and the other coaches. So, like I said, he’s just been trying to get used to the way the scheme and how things roll on the defensive side of the ball.”

ALSO READ:Arkansas offensive line depth allowed for Blackstock’s position change

Knowing that expectations for him have increased, it is all about producing on a consistent basis for Rhodes.

“Everything is about production,” he said. “I feel like that with the things I’m able to do, my knowledge of the game, improving every day, I expect a lot of production on myself, and there will be production at the end of the day.

“I really don’t have no choice. So it’s my time, so y’all are going to see.”

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