Quincy Rhodes Looks to Make Program History for Razorbacks Going Into Senior Year

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Due to a decade of lackluster play and declining standards, Arkansas football has failed to produce much NFL talent, as only two players from the university have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2016.

However, as he enters his senior year with the Razorbacks, senior defensive end Quincy Rhodes is looking to join the short list of first-round picks selected from Arkansas this spring.

Rhodes, one of the few players returning to the defensive side of the ball for the Razorbacks this season, was recently named by Sports Illustrated as one of the top 50 NFL prospects heading into the 2026 season, at No. 49.

While Rhodes and Razorback fans would have preferred him higher on the list, his inclusion indicates he is likely ready to take his talents to the next level and could be one of the few players in the NFL currently representing Arkansas.

No surprise here@QuincyRhodesJr3 has been named to the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List pic.twitter.com/OSloM6R47k
— Arkansas Football 🐗 (@RazorbackFB) August 21, 2026

Rhodes was included on the list after a breakout junior season for the Hogs last year, as he quickly made a name for himself as one of the few bright spots on the Razorbacks' defense and quietly gained the reputation of being one of the top defensive ends in the SEC.

He finished his impressive junior year with 44 total tackles, including 15.5 tackles for loss along with eight sacks and one forced fumble.

While his breakout junior season has put him on the radar of NFL scouts and coaches, Rhodes will need to remain one of the top defensive ends in the SEC through his senior season if he wants to potentially secure a spot as a first-round draft pick next spring.

Arkansas Razorbacks defensive lineman Quincy Rhodes after a stop against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. | Arkansas Communications

If Rhodes is selected in the first round of the draft, he will become only the 25th Razorback in program history to do so. Additionally, he would be only the third defensive player from Arkansas selected in the first round since 2000.

Alongside being named a top 50 NFL prospect by Sports Illustrated, Rhodes further gained national recognition earlier this month as he was named to the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List.

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented to the best defensive player in college football each season, and Rhodes, who was a semifinalist for the award last season, will be looking to be the first Razorback in program history to take home the trophy later this year.

He was even named to Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" on The Atheltic earlier this month for his unique blend of size, speed and productivity.

One of the best D-linemen in college football, Rhodes earned All-SEC honors last year after he notched the most tackles for loss (15.5) by a Razorback in 10 years to go with eight sacks, six hurries and a forced fumble in 12 games. At 6-foot-6, 277 pounds, he’s super strong, having bench pressed 405 pounds, squatted 585 and power cleaned 375. He broad jumped 10-2, vertical jumped 30 inches and clocked 19.97 mph on the GPS.
Bruce Feldman, The Athletic

Arkansas fans should be overjoyed by the national attention and recognition Rhodes has received from the media this offseason; however, they should be most excited to have one more season with a potential first-round pick on their roster.

As he remains in the Razorbacks ' locker room for one more season, Rhodes does have the opportunity to help Ryan Silverfield build a winning culture that has been absent since he arrived at Razorback Stadium in the fall of 2023.

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