Brother Rice getting big plays by Rhodes

Brother Rice's Jeremy Rhodes makes an interception against Marist. He returned the ball to inside the Marist 10-yard line.
(Art Vassy/Daily Southtown)

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Talk to anyone around the football program at Brother Rice about Jeremy Rhodes and one word continuously pops up: playmaker.

The Crusaders surprised many in the Catholic League when they finished tied for second with Loyola and 7-2 overall. Rhodes is one of the main reasons that happened.

Rhodes does it all for the Crusaders, returning kickoffs and punts and starting at strong safety. When the Crusaders need help offensively, Rhodes will come in to play tailback.

''He's as big a playmaker as I've ever coached here,'' Rice coach Steve Nye said. ''When the game is on the line, he wants the ball in his hands. Some kids shy away from that. He's a leader, and the kids recognize that he's a leader.''

Nye credits Rhodes for at least four wins. The 6-1 senior has returned two punts for touchdowns and one kickoff return against Mount Carmel. He scored the winning touchdown against St. Rita from the tailback spot. He has even earned the nickname ''Baby Hester,'' after the Bears' Devin Hester.

Opposing teams often kick away from him. Rhodes averages 34.3 yards on kickoff returns and 24.5 yards on punt returns. He has 68 tackles, two interceptions and three sacks this season.

''I like defense because I like to hit,'' Rhodes said. ''Whenever we're down, they put me in on offense to make plays. It's an honor to be compared to Devin Hester.''

''He makes big plays and always seems to be around the ball,'' safety Neil Sullivan said.

Rhodes is one of three defensive backs who have grown together at Rice. He is joined by cornerback Doug Schumacher and Sullivan. The three have been playing varsity ball together for three years, while starting the last two, and have a combined 30 interceptions. Rhodes and Schumacher were recently selected to the all-conference team.

The three have become close friends who like to hang out at Buffalo Wild Wings on Thursdays and play Ping-Pong during lunch.

''I feel pretty confident being able to match these guys man to man,'' Nye said. ''We can put an extra man in the box because we can match up with those guys.''

All three would like to play at the next level. Rhodes has had some interest from Division II schools, while Schumacher may play baseball or Ivy League football. Schumacher hit cleanup and started in center field for last year's fourth-place state finisher in baseball.

''Rhodes is pound for pound the strongest kid on the team, and he ran a 4.5 40,'' Nye said. ''Very rarely do you have a 6-2 cornerback with the range and athleticism of Schumacher. We put him on the other team's best receiver, and he's done a great job of shutting him down.''