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Cloudy early, then off and on rain showers for the afternoon. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..
Tonight
Showers this evening, becoming a steady rain overnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Rhodes committed to Elon in June, jumping on the opportunity not long after it presented itself.
“I didn’t have any offers other than Elon. But, if I thought about if I had every offer in the world, where would I choose?” Rhodes said. “That would be Elon.
“I enjoy how close it is and it feels like home. That’s why I committed so early, really.”
The Phoenix began recruiting Rhodes, a 2021 Times-News All-Region first-team selection, following a junior season in which he piled up 167 tackles, including 13 for losses, four sacks, one interception returned for a TD, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
In February, Rhodes would receive his long-awaited scholarship offer. It was the first, and the last.
“(Elon) loved him. They fell in love immediately,” Williams coach Patrick Stokes said. “When everybody else was kind of lukewarm to him — and we put some feelers out and asked some opinions — it became very clear early on this is where I need to go to school. This is where I want to go to school. They want me. I want them. Let’s make it happen.”
Will Rhodes
Times-News
Courtesy of Williams High School
Elon’s early belief in the 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker stuck with Rhodes throughout the offseason.
“The only other person in the area that has an offer (from Elon) is (Cummings 4-star athlete) Jonathan Paylor,” Rhodes said. “I figured, if I’m the only other person that has an offer, that’s a pretty big deal, especially since it’s a Division I school.”
Williams linebacker Will Rhodes, left, communicates with a teammate before a play.
Times-News
Courtesy of Williams High School
Rhodes is set to become the first high school player from Alamance County to join the Elon program as a scholarship athlete since Williams alum Torrence Williams, now a redshirt senior defensive lineman for the Phoenix. Former Western Alamance running back Jake Christman joined Elon as a walk-on in 2018.
“For him to have the opportunity to continue his education and playing career at a Division I level, but to do it locally and to do it for Elon is pretty special,” Stokes said. “It’s special for us. It’s special for our community. I’m happy for Alamance County to have one of their own to go play in their own backyard. There’s a rich tradition, going back many years, of Elon having not just Williams guys, but Alamance County guys.”
Staying close to home certainly has its benefits.
“It’s a change but it’s not a big change. I still feel at home,” Rhodes said. “I get to see my dog whenever I want.”
David Kehrli is a sports reporter at the Burlington Times-News and USA Today Network. You can reach him at david.kehrli@thetimesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @DavidKehrliTN. Subscribe to the Burlington Times-News here.
