Christian Rhodes

Physical Profile

Possesses a tall, high-cut frame at a listed 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, which is excellent for the running back position. As a multi-sport athlete, he has verified speed with 100-meter dash times in the 11.3s, which translates to the field in his breakaway ability. His build is reminiscent of classic upright runners, suggesting he has the frame to add more mass and play in the 210-215 pound range without sacrificing his explosiveness. This physical profile gives him the potential to be a durable, three-down back in college.

Play Style

Rhodes is a slasher who thrives in space and can score from anywhere on the field. He presses the line of scrimmage with purpose and uses his vision and agility to find creases. His game is built on home-run speed, but he flashes the ability to be more than just a speed back, showing good hands and the elusiveness to be a multi-faceted threat. His junior season production, where he averaged over 8.6 yards per carry and scored 16 total touchdowns, highlights his game-breaking tendencies.

Strengths

• **Explosive Big-Play Ability:** Demonstrates impressive straight-line speed and acceleration, consistently breaking long runs. His track background is evident in his ability to erase pursuit angles once he reaches the second level. In one playoff game, he scored on screen passes of 39 and 90 yards.
• **Surprising Agility for Size:** Despite having a tall, upright running style, he displays notable jump-cutting ability and agility to make defenders miss in space. This allows him to navigate traffic effectively and create yards when plays aren't perfectly blocked.
• **Evolving Pass-Game Contributor:** Shows encouraging and developing competency as a receiver out of the backfield. He's not just a check-down option, as evidenced by his 23 receptions as a junior and a 30-catch, 413-yard season, demonstrating the ability to be a true weapon in the passing game.

Areas to Improve

• **Pad Level Consistency:** Due to his tall, 'high-cut' build, he naturally runs with an upright gait. He will need to consistently focus on lowering his pad level at the point of contact to maximize power, break more tackles, and avoid unnecessary hits at the next level.
• **Short-Yardage Power:** While explosive, he can further develop the functional strength to consistently grind out tough yards in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Adding mass to his frame will be crucial for becoming a reliable every-down back against elite defensive fronts.

College Projection

As a highly-rated prospect (No. 172 nationally in the 247Sports Composite) who signed with SMU, Rhodes projects as an impact player at the Power Four level. He has the talent to compete for carries early in his career, potentially in a rotational role as a freshman. By his second or third year, he has the ceiling to develop into a lead back and a focal point of the offense, capable of handling a significant workload.

NFL Outlook

Given his verified 4-star status, ideal frame for an NFL running back, and legitimate track speed, Rhodes possesses clear NFL draft potential. His ceiling is exceptionally high. If he continues to add strength to his frame, refines his technique, and builds on his receiving skills, he projects as a player who could hear his name called in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft with the upside for more.

Best Fit

A spread or zone-blocking scheme that allows him to utilize his vision, one-cut ability, and acceleration to get to the second level quickly. His pass-catching skills also make him a great fit for a modern, up-tempo offense that looks to create mismatches by motioning the running back out of the backfield.