Boutte native and Hahnville alumnus Lindzell Rhodes has signed with Division II college Virginia Union after graduating from Mississippi Valley State University.
Rhodes, a 6’2 linebacker who starred at the same position for the Tigers, played two seasons in 2011 and 2012 at the College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California before transferring to MVSU.
Because Rhodes graduated from MVSU but only played three seasons of college football, he retains a year of eligibility. In Division II, players are eligible to play up to 10 semesters, meaning Rhodes will be able to continue his playing career as he pursues a master’s degree.
“When it was verified that I had another year I was very excited for the opportunity to further my education and football career,” Rhodes said.
Rhodes graduated from MVSU Cum Laude with a 3.3 GPA.
Virginia Union appealed to Rhodes, he said, because it’s an ascendant program that he feels he can help put over the top. The Panthers made the Division II playoffs for the
“They’re on the upswing,” said Rhodes, who graduated in May. “I made a lot of plays last year and had a really good experience at (MVSU). The thing I look forward to is playing some good football and being part of winning program. I also look forward to going farther than the second round of the playoffs and winning a Division II championship there.”
Rhodes, who graduated Cum Laude in May, plans to become a teacher and a coach as he goes forward. He seeks his master’s in urban education.
“It’s a way I can reach out and help youth,” Rhodes said. “That’s something that’s very important to me. I want to help them succeed in life.”
On the field, he said Virginia Union’s coaching staff indicated to him that they liked the toughness he brings to the field.
“They liked my physicality,” Rhodes said. “I fly to the ball and understand where to be. The process was really enjoyable because I got the opportunity to actually gain a relationship with the coaches and really felt like they had my best interest at heart. The head coach is in the same fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, as me and instantly we grew a bond that was unbreakable.”
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