In early 2013, Rhodes was discharged from the US Marine Corps after 5 years of service, and he intended to play football for Middle Tennessee State University. However, an NCAA rule states that student-athletes who don't enroll in college within a year of graduating high school will be charged one year of eligibility for every academic year they participate in "organized competition". During his military service, Rhodes played in some football games deemed by the NCAA to be organized competition, because there were game officials, team uniforms, and the score was kept. This would have kept him from playing immediately for the university. After an appeal, the NCAA changed its ruling on 20 August 2013. Rhodes was allowed to start the 2013 season and maintain all four years of his eligibility.