Let us read it for you. Listen now.
Your browser does not support the audio element.
BATON ROUGE -- University of Arkansas defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. started a single game last season. Less than a year later, the junior is projected as a late-first- to mid-second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
"Yeah, I've seen it," Rhodes said Tuesday. "To be honest, I kind of don't let all that stuff get to my head, because all that stuff changes weekly. If I don't go out there and perform, it can go right back down."
Rhodes made the cut for the 20-player list of semifinalists that day for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to the nation's top defensive player. The 6-6, 275-pounder from North Little Rock played in 12 games last season for the Razorbacks, registering two tackles for loss and one sack.
Through nine games in 2025, Rhodes has raced to 14 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
"Oh, all the time," said Bobby Petrino, Arkansas' interim coach and offensive playcaller. "He's always been a pain in all the practices and scrimmages. He's taken such strides forward from a year ago in his body being stronger and quicker and faster and his understanding of the game. It's been fun to watch how he's matured and how he plays the game now."
Rhodes always dreamed of being a Razorback as a kid. His first in-person game at Reynolds Razorback Stadium went in the books as a 31-10 upset victory for Arkansas against No. 11 Florida on Nov. 5, 2016. A core memory for Rhodes is a Gator kickoff returner getting decked.
Rhodes' first start in an Arkansas uniform also ended in victory: 39-26 against Texas Tech on Dec. 27, 2024, in the Liberty Bowl.
The third-year Razorback, who played behind third-round 2025 NFL Draft pick Landon Jackson last season, turned an opportunity into a breakout season.
"I never really had seen myself in this position," Rhodes said. "It really caught me by surprise, like how I caught y'all by surprise. Again, my parents, nothing surprised them. They always knew I had it in me. ... I just love hitting quarterbacks, so I just try to do my job."
Rhodes' 14 tackles for loss are tied for seventh-most in the country. They're also the most by an Arkansas player since Trey Flowers tallied 15.5 in 2014. Rhodes needs two more sacks to become the first Razorback to reach double digits since Jake Bequette posted 10 in 2011.
"They've got the final say-so and they determine how my success goes in the draft," Rhodes said about NFL coaches and general managers. "I really just do it for myself, my family and again, relaying back to these guys (pointing to teammate Julian Neal), because they count on me."
Rhodes is the only player in program history with four-plus tackles for loss in multiple games in the same season. He achieved the milestone in Arkansas' most recent game Nov. 1 with 4.5 against Mississippi State. He previously recorded four at Memphis on Sept. 20.
Rhodes and Auburn linebacker Xavier Atkins are the lone FBS defenders with multiple games of four-plus tackles for loss in 2025.
"I was lucky enough to work out with him all year in the weight room," left guard Fernando Carmona said. "See his mindset shift from that younger guy to like, 'You know what? I'm the dude now. I'm going to show the world why I'm one of the best D-ends.' You see it week in and week out. The way he gets off the ball and he gets to that quarterback. Scary thing, man."
"I'm glad to not be playing tackle anymore."
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green expressed similar relief.
"Glad I'm not live in practice," Green said. "He said he saw the mock drafts and everything, but he's still going pedal to the metal. ... He's still asking for coaching and the coaches are coaching him hard. He's practicing hard. When he gets to the game, y'all see what he does."
Like the past two games, Rhodes will have a pair of LSU quarterbacks to chase in Garrett Nussmeier and Michael Van Buren Jr. at 11:45 a.m. Central at Tiger Stadium. The Razorbacks are coming off a season-high 10 tackles for loss against a Power Four team in big thanks to Rhodes.
"My dreams and aspirations are to be a first-round pick," he said. "As time goes, we shall see. I don't know right now. I just -- just grinding."
Matt Byrne is the Bob Holt Razorback Reporter, named in honor of the longtime reporter who covered University of Arkansas sports. This position is funded by the ADG Community Journalism Project.