Interview: 2023 Arkansas DE/TE Quincy Rhodes Talks Memphis Camp and Recruiting
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
After his sophomore season with Jacksonville High School, Quincy Rhodes looked like a sure-fire D-I defensive end in the making. But once his junior season with the Titans gets going, college coaches may have a great debate in the boardroom if he’s a defensive end or a tight end. What we know for now, the 6-5, 245-pound, defender racked up 77 tackles, 33 solo, in eight games during the 2020 season. With all the extra time and effort put into his technique and weightlifting program, Rhodes can be anything he wants at the collegiate level, a D-end or a tight end.
After competing at a Memphis Tigers camp, Rhodes stopped by the RNG Lab for an update interview.
*Click the link for Aril 2021 RNG video interview with Quincy Rhodes
Interview
Quincy, how are the offseason workouts coming along?
They are going really well. I am making gains in the weight room. I see myself getting better. This upcoming season will be great.
Going over on defense first, what have you been focusing on with your technique?
Block shedding, having more violent hands, flipping my hips, and overall improving.
On offense, getting time in at tight end, what have you been working on with your blocking?
Coming downhill as a gap down backer, relying on my teammates to help me double team more, and becoming more aggressive.
Are you getting worked into the passing attack this fall?
Yes, sir.
How are you preparing for that?
I am running more routes. I have been on offense more this offseason. My coaches have me spending a lot more time on offense. Defense will still be a thing, but they may see more on offense this season.
You do a great job of updating your workouts, especially with conditioning, on Twitter. What are some of the exercises you are doing to increase your speed, agility, and endurance?
(Laughs) Squats, working on my 40 stance, jumping rope, calf raises, ladder drills, hurdles, mobility in my hips – a lot of stuff.
You mentioned squats, what else are you doing in the weight room?
Power cleans, bench, squats, and we are super setting. The majority are dumbbell lifts and we are doing a lot of leg press. We are doing the “Huskers” which is power cleans, overhead press, squats, lunges and then go up on a stool – all in one.
That definitely will trigger all the major muscle groups and get that burn activated. Have you maxed out on any of your lifts recently?
I am around 290 on bench and my squat is around 390 to 395.
Have you been ton any college camps this month?
Yes, I went to a Memphis camp.
How did the Memphis camp go for you?
It went really well. I performed very well, but there are things for me to work on. I talked to a few of their coaches at the camp. They like me and followed me on Twitter. They said that they will keep up with me during my high school career and asked me to come up during my junior year for a visit.
What did they have you do at the camp?
We did the basics, timing in the 40 and 5-10-5, and they had us do the broad jump. Then we did drills, how fast we could go up and down and how fast we could change direction. We did a lot of running, and stepping over bags so they could look at our feet. And they had us go around the hula hoops and run after the hoops. After all that, then we did the one-on-ones.
How did you do during the one-on-ones?
I did pretty good. I got some stuff to improve on like getting my hands more violent and flipping my hips. But with my speed and hand placement, I did well.
What camps are next on your list?
I have two camps next week. I will be in Fayetteville on the 18th and the next day at War Memorial for a 24/7 camp.
Very cool. As your camp season heats up, which teams are now showing recruiting interest?
On Twitter, I have a lot of college coaches following me from Memphis, Arkansas, Virginia, Wofford College, Lyons College, Southern Miss, and Coach Hill from Arkansas State is following me on Twitter. That’s all that I can think of right now.
Quincy, it was great getting time in with you again today. Wishing you great success at the upcoming camps.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Rhodes family; Quincy Rhodes at the Memphis camp