ESPN RISE

Roderick Neither is a "Yes sir; no sir" type of guy.

It's more than politeness from the 6-foot-2, 200-pound defensive end from Flowers High School (Springdale, Md.). Neither has his sights on a career in the Army, and football could be his ticket.

"Coach [Mike] Mayo has a lot of [recruiting] letters for me, like Maryland and Rutgers, but we're working on West Point," said the junior who will be a third-year starter for this perennial Class 4A South Region title challenger.

"I want to go Army, but my dad says West Point is the better route. If I go to West Point, I come out an officer with better pay and benefits."

Right now, it's Flowers who is benefiting from Neither.

He was the team's leader in sacks last season, and recorded two in Flowers' region semifinal victory over Suitland en route to a 10-2 season.

While Neither plays defensive end for Flowers, he projects as an athletic outside linebacker on the college level, although he prefers playing end.

"With the speed I have -- and I'm elusive -- I can do more against an offensive lineman," he said.

Neither also wrestles for Flowers.

If Neither ends up at the U.S. Military Academy, he would be the third Flowers player to go to a service academy in three seasons, following running back Jarren Brown in 2008 and linebacker Brandon Killebrew last season.

Neither said he already has the grades to be considered by West Point. He's working on getting recommendations and a letter from a congressman.

When asked if he thought West Point is where he'll end up, Neither responded with a confident "Yes, sir."

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Sheldon Shealer is a senior editor for ESPNRISE.com and can be reached at SSHLR@erols.com