So how did Nick Rhodes spend his summer vacation? He took football camping trips to Oklahoma and Texas.

But it was his three-day weekend in College Station in July that sealed the deal with the Aggies. Not exactly a tourist destination in the dead of summer, Aggieland was still the hot place to be last July… at least for hundreds of 7-on-7 participants in the state’s annual passing tournament.

It was on that weekend that Rhodes introduced himself to the Texas A&M coaches, as the Brownwood receiver put on a day-long show under the wilting summer sun.

"The 7-on-7 camp, I think, is what solidified things," Brownwood coach Steve Freeman said. "We were in a heated battle with Highland Park one day. We were pretty hot, and he was hot. Of course, there was a bird’s eye view for the A&M coaches that weekend.

"A sell was made to them, and eventually, they made the offer. He took them up on it and got the recruiting process behind him."

Despite having family connections to the Oklahoma Sooner football program (his father, Steve, is a four-year letterwinner), Rhodes had connections to A&M, as well. After all, two Aggies – linebacker Jared Morris and deep snapper Chance Pearce – are Brownwood graduates. And quarterback Colby Freeman, the head coach’s son, spent one year at A&M before transferring to Abilene Christian.

"I think, at the time, OU was probably on the bubble as far as what they would do immediately (in recruiting Rhodes)," Steve Freeman said. "And they waited to see what was going to go on in the season with themselves and with Nick. He probably made a good decision at the time.

"He liked everything about A&M. Of course, we still have a couple of guys down there. So he’s familiar with the school and what’s going on."

At Brownwood, Rhodes was a two-way star, catching 24 passes for 463 yards in a run-oriented offense. As a defensive back, the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder recorded four interceptions, three fumble recoveries and 50 tackles. He took two of those interceptions and one of the fumbles back for touchdowns.

His talents earned him a spot on the Class 4A All-State honorable mention list, as voted on by the Associated Press.

The Aggies signed him as a receiver, and with a deep receiving unit on board, Rhodes likely will redshirt as a freshman.

"His main strength is he knows only one speed, and that’s full speed," Freeman added. "He would have been a great high school running back, because he plays that game the way it was supposed to be played, and that’s aggressively. He’s got good hands, and he’s extremely mobile and athletic on his feet.

"All these ingredients made him be a good high school player and a good college prospect."

Rhodes followed the growing trend of high school seniors and juniors who build their stock in the eyes of recruiters through solid performances at summer camps or the Fox Sports 7-on-7 tournament.

A&M coach R.C. Slocum said the increase in the number of skill players coming out of Texas, particularly at the quarterback and wideout position, can be traced to the arrival of the passing tournaments each summer in the Lone Star State.

Freeman did not argue with the assessment.

"I’ve always thought the state track meet at the University of Texas was such a draw," he said. "The camps are surely a big factor, but those are initiated by the kid. These special events are initiated by an organization. Any campus that can bring those kids in under those circumstances, no doubt, gains an advantage."

Just as the Aggies did with Nick Rhodes.

– Homer Jacobs