SMU gets two in one day
The day was already big with one commitment in the books from an in-state offensive lineman Friday, but it got even bigger when a sleeper quarterback decided it was time for him to make his commitment to SMU.
New Braunfels (Texas) mobile quarterback Zac Rhodes decided along with Hutto (Texas) Lee Gonzales that it was their time to make their pick. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound signal caller had flown under the radar with interest coming from Tulane, BYU, and Navy. SMU offered and after careful thought, he made his choice known.
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"I guess what prompted the decision was just the coaching staff and you knowing that someone genuinely has interest in you," Rhodes said. "It's not just about the business side of it, but they really think you can do something special."
There was some careful thought given to the other schools showing interest, but in the end he went with what felt right.
"I thought about waiting to see if anyone else offered," Rhodes said. "I thought it over and I just knew where I wanted to be."
It was not only the recruitment of Rhodes during his junior and senior years, but a moment at an SMU game when he was a sophomore.
"Coach Phil Bennett was at that game talking about how he wanted to turn the program around and I guess when I heard him say that, I knew I wanted to be a part of it," Rhodes said. "You can sense the passion of the game in these coaches."
Like many other prospects who make an early commitment, the pressure is off for Rhodes.
"It's definitely a load off," he said. "It's nice knowing you're going to a great school and you'll be able to play college football, which has been my dream. It's also nice knowing you don't have to apply and worry about getting into a school."
"I'm getting the chance to play football and a great education as well."