FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas practiced in Razorback Stadium on Saturday holding the fourth day of 15 spring drills that will end on April 19.

Defensive end Quincy Rhodes Jr. is running with the first unit after spending the past two seasons playing behind and learning from Landon Jackson. In 2024, Rhodes had 15 tackles, six solo, one sack and a pass breakup. Rhodes is ready for his chance with Jackson heading to the NFL.

"He definitely left a mark, just for me coming on up," Rhodes said. "He definitely taught me a lot, so I’m really just trying to leave his footprints as he left for me in a good way."

Rhodes talked about what Jackson taught him.

"Definitely more technique-wise and understanding the game more," Rhodes said. "That definitely played a lot, especially going into my junior year."

Rhodes started his first game as a Razorback against Texas Tech in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl.

"Definitely just taking advantage of every opportunity I have, being able to mentally lock in before a game and understanding my assignments," Rhodes said.

While he didn't start, Rhodes did get some action in various games last fall.

"Really just getting me ready for going into my junior year, slowing the game down, and being ready for when my time does come," Rhodes said.

Arkansas has some newcomers on the defensive line. Ken Talley came over from Michigan State, Justin Boone from Florida and David Oke who played at Abilene Christian.

"A lot going on, especially D-Line wise," Rhodes said. "We definitely reloaded. So I’m looking forward to the upcoming season with the D-Line that we have."

Rhodes talked about Boone and Talley's progress so far. Rhodes said he enjoys hanging out some with the pair off the football field too.

"They’re doing extremely well, just focusing on remembering plays and focusing in on their assignments as well, so everyone is doing well," Rhodes said. "I get along with them great. We spent a lot of time outside of football. We actually go out pretty often. I know we went out like last two weeks. I've taken them out to the spots that I've known and just really just got to understand them and they've got to understand me. Just really relationship building between guys."

Two new offensive tackles from the transfer portal who have impressed Rhodes are Corey Robinson II and Shaq McRoy.

"I would say for Corey, he’s very good with his hands and his feet," Rhodes said. "So really just setting wise he’s actually very strong, especially in our run game. He really doesn’t lack anything from what I see so it’s just matter of whoever he’s going against if you can beat him. Then Shaq is ginormous. He’s very wide and it’s hard to get outside of him on certain plays. Shaq, he’s young, he’s still understanding the game and he’s got a bright future."

Rhodes talked about McRoy's leverage.

"It’s coming along, it’s coming along of course," Rhodes said. "Ain’t nobody perfect. He’s in the film room every day, practicing every day. I him see with coach (Eric) Mateos, coach Mateos is a great coach, he works with him a lot so he’s understanding the game and getting better fundamentally and everything is gonna be alright."

Rhodes is listed at 6-6, 276, on the spring roster released by the University of Arkansas.

"To be honest, my weight really fluctuates," Rhodes said. "So right now we're in the middle of spring ball, of course. We're doing a lot of running. Usually I'm playing around 272 ish, between 275. So, right now I'm in the process of gaining my weight back since we've been doing all this conditioning.  Just eating and lifting and that's really what it is. I'm really not on a specific diet. I just eat when I can and work out."

The Razorbacks will hold their spring game on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m.