Xavier Rhodes

Xavier Rhodes's Biography

Xavier Rhodes, an American professional football player born on June 19, 1990, played cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football as part of the Florida State Seminoles and was chosen by the Vikings in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. During his time with the Vikings, Rhodes was recognized for his skills with three Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro selection.

Born and raised in Miami Gardens, Florida, Xavier attended Miami Norland High School where he excelled in both football and track. He was an all-around football player for the Miami Norland Vikings, starting as a wide receiver, running back and defensive back. As a junior, he reached over 1,000 all-purpose yards, and in his senior year, he led his school in both rushing and receiving. These accomplishments earned him a spot on the Miami Herald All-Dade team for both offensive and defensive play.

Rhodes’ prowess on the field was noticed, and he was selected to play in the 12th annual Nike South Florida All-Star game. He was featured as a 6A FSWA first-team All-state selection and a first-team All-Dade County athlete. In addition to football, Rhodes showcased great athletic talents in Track & Field competitions, including a personal best record of 48.60 seconds in the 400-meter dash.

Following high school, Xavier became a highly rated three-star recruit by Rivals.com and was recognized as the No. 75 wide receiver and No. 91 prospect in Florida. Due to his promising skills and athleticism, Rhodes received scholarship offers from numerous universities but chose Florida State University (FSU).

Once at FSU, Rhodes played for Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles football team from 2009 to 2012, starting 38 of 43 games. His freshman year resulted in only two games due to a hand injury, but he quickly recovered and in 2010, he started 14 games at the boundary cornerback position. This endeavor showcased his competence, registering him 12 pass breakups and four interceptions. Furthermore, he led all freshmen nationally in pass defenses and went on to be named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

During the following years at FSU, Rhodes continued to develop his skills, proving his worth with consistent performance, earning himself selections for numerous awards. These included the Bednarik Award, Nagurski Trophy watchlists, and he was the sole ACC player named a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award.

His success at FSU led Rhodes to decide to enter the 2013 NFL Draft. With glowing achievements under his belt, he was predicted by Sports Illustrated as a first-round selection. The Minnesota Vikings confirmed this prediction and selected Rhodes in the first round. Rhodes signed a four-year contract with the Vikings and quickly climbed the depth charts within the team.

Making his professional regular season debut against the Detroit Lions, Rhodes displayed impressive game skills throughout the seasons he played with the Vikings. He finished his rookie season in 2013 with 48 combined tackles and ten pass deflections in 13 games. His excellent performance continued in the following seasons, making him a crucial part of the Vikings’ pass defense improvement.

By 2016, Rhodes had been named to his first Pro Bowl and had his contract extended by the Vikings. Even with minor setbacks due to injury, he continued to impress on the field, earning the title of NFC Defensive Player of the Week during one game.

Rhodes continued to perform at a high level throughout his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He attracted attention not only for his defensive skills but also for his impressive athleticism and speed. These attributes had been honed not only in the NFL but also carried over from his days as a promising high school prospect, a high-performing college athlete, and a rising professional football star. Now, as a free agent, Rhodes is still committed to showcasing his strong football skills whenever and wherever he takes the gridiron.