Thoughts on Robbie Rhodes

by Smokey III on May 6, 2025 9:22 PM CDT

I threw this out in a post on IT yesterday. With the news of his offer today, I thought I'd copy it here and open it up for dialogue since it's now very relevant:

I've had the distinct feeling for a while that the staff preferred Robbie Rhodes over Massington. I've also had a feeling that Rhodes would be someone who would shoot up the rankings between now and February.

I can't really back either feeling up right now, other than throwing out a another feeling. He just feels like the super-athletic, driven, focused, all-around good kid prototype (i.e. Adrian Colbert) that hasn't made the camp circuit but that people notice at the end. He also seems to have a real feel for the game of football (8 touchdowns in a game with a bad QB is mind-blowing). As Wescott Eberts pointed out, he has a lot of highlights where he separates from the DB, only to have to adjust and catch the ball in traffic. All 4 of the recruiting services have him at 6-1 and closer to 190, though they could all be exaggerating, and Rivals says his vertical is 36". I can't shake the feeling that this kid's upside is Hakeem Nicks (similar body type and possibly athleticism).

Also, if I remember correctly, his recruitment has been quiet because his father has been ill. Everything that I have seen indicates that he has a quiet confidence, that he has his priorities straight, and that he is well-liked and respected (read: not fellow Fort Worther Darius White).

It seems to me the coaches see something in him that will probably become more obvious in the future. I'm reading between the lines, but with the paucity of information on this kid, you kind of have to. I'd make a small wager right now that if UT ends up with Robbie Rhodes and not Massington, then we'll all be glad in 3-4 years (even if Massington experiences success at USC, which he probably will).

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Comments

Rhodes

As mentioned, there’s not a lot out there on Rhodes, but…everything I have seen on him, he seems like a good take to me. I’m down with the offer to him, and if the Horns wind up with him instead of Massington or Samples, I have a hunch that’ll work out just fine.

"I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead." (Jimmy Buffett)

by coolhorn on May 6, 2025 9:42 PM CDT reply actions

Nice post

http://aseaofblue.com | https://www.barkingcarnival.com | @JC_Hoops

by jc25 on May 7, 2025 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

Wyatt has liked Rhodes for a while

If memory serves correct, he missed a couple of visits he was supposed to make because of the family issues you mentioned.

Only bad part is that we seem to have some ground to make up on this one. 247 had some quotes from him and sounds like Baylor, Tech and TCU are all high on his list right now and that he at least had some concerns about our offense and Wyatt has tried to convince him we ultimately want to be more balanced and pass more.

by Big(g) Ern on May 7, 2025 11:00 AM CDT reply actions

HIs concerns about our offense are worrisome

but having Baylor, Tech and TCU out front right now cause we just offered isn’t. At least imo

by cade21 on May 7, 2025 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions

A good look at Boise's offensive past should allay those concerns

Or at least I would think.

They’ve been able to have both a strong and deep running game for a while now, while also having a record-breaking QB or two. Nothing on offense really worked like it should last year, especially the passing game. Once we hit what I expect to be our new normal, I’d be surprised if recruit has any real concerns about our offense, whether they prefer an offense with strong running or prolific passing. Think Oklahoma St. recently. They haven’t really had to choose between the two, and great offenses shouldn’t.

Of course, someone can still be concerned about the depth of talent that might keep them from starting (hopefully we’ll have that problem again soon at WR). But I don’t think people will think of us as primarily a running team once we hit our stride.

by Smokey III on May 8, 2025 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I think philosophically it works to point to the

Boise offense as something Texas’ will mirror the offense in the near future. There were times last season Harsin/Applewhite can point to where they want the offense headed, but the biggest obstacle is the quarterback position when you try to sell the passing game to a prospect.

We all believe David will be better next year and there were positive signs in the spring from what we have been told by those who attended practice and the scrimmages.

From a selling stand point Baylor can point to Florence’s efforts two years ago as a quarterback who has had some success in the passing game and that no matter who is at quarterback Baylor is going to throw the ball.

Texas last year switched quarterbacks in the second half on a couple of occassions and even when they went with Ash in the bowl game they didn’t really open up the offense.

I am not saying what Harsin did was wrong, he did the right thing because it was what Texas needed to do to win games, but if I am selling against them I am making a point about their struggles in the passing game later in the year and the fact that with all the players Texas has collected on offense he won’t see the number of touches he would see in the Baylor offense.

by davey o'brien on May 9, 2025 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

The efficiency of the Baylor passing game will decline

The volume of opportunity will not.

by Scipio Tex on May 9, 2025 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

We're in a tough spot with recievers

You have Baylor, Okie St, and OU putting receivers in the NFL and showing no signs of backing away from pass first offenses.

If our best weapon is showing a kid tapes of Boise, it’s kind of self-evident where we are at. We have 3 highly rated RBs, and when other teams around the conference were airing it out at their Spring games - including Collen Klein putting up absurd numbers and chucking it nearly 50 times - we on the other hand had Ash throw the ball six times for a total of 80 yards. We may want to be more balanced - and ultimately may be so - but if you are a WR, I can see why you would look awfully hard at Baylor, et al.

by Big(g) Ern on May 9, 2025 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed that Baylor will see a drop, but

I agree with Ern in that the perception for a receiver prospect looking at the Baylor passing game and the Texas passing game.

Florence’s seven games in place of RGIII in 2011 where more productive than David last year and if I am Briles I hammer that point home. Additionally, I point out that while Harsin did tutor Moore at Boise many of those record setting wins were against weaker competition and in the end Moore did get drafted while I (Briles) took a player many in the state of Texas including UT didn’t think could play quarterback and helped him develop into a trophy winner and second pick in the draft.

Coupe de grace’ would be that I would point to Kendall Wright going where he did in the draft and ask what happened to all the high ranking receiver prospects recruited by Texas.

Not that I would think Briles might use negative recruiting in that manner.

by davey o'brien on May 10, 2025 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Just to make it clear, I think Wyatt has us on the right track. I think landing Jake Oliver along with some of the kids coming this spring will be really nice assets that will learn better route running and technique from Day 1 than our prior recruits learned under Kennedy, and hopefully some of these kids will get time to learn the craft and not get thrown to the wolves their freshman year.

That being said, I think an awful lot of highly ranked recruits will need to see proof that we can muster an effective passing game. Can’t say that I blame them. Baylor, OSU, and OU have pretty strong arguments to make as to why going to UT is a bad decision.

by Big(g) Ern on May 10, 2025 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

That's a good point, at least for the next year or two

Logical arguments and projections, while persuasive, only carry so much weight. High school stars react much better to tangible results. That said, it appears that we have gotten at least our top 5 passing game (QB/WR/TE) recruits this year (not to mention our top 4-5 last year, depending on who projects to offense and how mutual you think Thomas Johnson’s decommitment was). Robbie Rhodes might be the only recruit left where we still have to worry about this.

But if there is not a sharp increase in passing production over the course of this year, then selling future projections will be much more difficult. Fortunately, I for one am reasonably optimistic on that front.

by Smokey III on May 10, 2025 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Still think the emergence of a true tightend

for the Horns will help the Texas passing game. I do believe that David will take some big strides this year and I think the improved running game will help as well.

It will be interesting to see how quickly the young receivers adapt, which Mike Davis we will see in Austin, and what happens if Goodwin doesn’t qualify for the Olympics.

by davey o'brien on May 10, 2025 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions

TE

I think 247 has reported that the staff officially told Caleb Bluett that he would start at TE this year. I believe he has played there before and I am comforted by Gerry Hamilton and a few others saying they think he could be a top-level TE.

That, along with Smythe coming next year has me reasonably hopeful that we can see some progress in that position. Until I see otherwise, I think it is tough to project much onto DJ Grant and McFarland for this year.

by Big(g) Ern on May 11, 2025 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Well frankly he sounds made up.

@ccommand3r

by CMDR on May 7, 2025 11:06 AM CDT reply actions

I don't trust anybody named Robbie

Except this guy. And I expect him to commit shortly after his visit.

Thanks for posting, Smokey.

by Vasherized on May 7, 2025 4:15 PM CDT reply actions

UT should wait for Samples to decide and let Rhodes stay in Ft. Worth

Wish it were that sample. Kid is a great athlete with that elite burst. Son of Davey watched him at the regional track meet and said he just exploded off the curve in the 200M. Colbert is a good comparison build wise though I don’t see Robbie on the defensive side of the ball.

He is outside on much of his film, but I really see hm as an inside guy and think he might have that ability to be that dual threat guy on the fly sweep, screens, and the down field passing game.

If I were Mack and the staff sitting with the class they now have pledged I go for him over Samples because I think there more potential.

by davey o'brien on May 7, 2025 6:57 PM CDT reply actions

Warrick is better than Samples...

according to the recruiting sites (I think they’re so close that the differences are miniscule however Samples’ diva attitude makes me lean towards Warrick) but they are both slot guys so taking them both is redundant.

NTM Multiple sites have confirmed that both UT and Samples have moved on…

And BTW Baylor is Rhodes’ #1.

"We are who we are. People say what they say. The outcome is the outcome. We are proud of ourselves." -DeLoss Dodds 9/21/2011

by TowerPower on May 8, 2025 4:24 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with that

Samples is most likely a smoother player right now, but it seems to me that Warrick is a little more explosive, especially in the short passing game. We have a lot of young college-ready receivers coming in (although Shipley may be the only one who plays slot), so I prefer an upside take. Given the big bodies we’re recruiting there, some elite explosiveness would be a nice complement.

by Smokey III on May 8, 2025 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I have to think UT will rise to the top this weekend

He’s high on UT despite not spending much time on campus, not having face with Mack Brown, and not having in-depth conversations with the staff about his role in the offense. We’ve seen how quickly and easily past recruits can be swayed by all that.

Also, you have to think that he’ll be less enamored by Baylor when he sees their passing game this year compared to last.

by Smokey III on May 8, 2025 8:30 PM CDT reply actions