Things still the same for Hodge
Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard outside linebacker Elijah Hodge could easily be tabbed as one of the more underrated players in the Sunshine State. He has a good size/speed combo and a nice list of offers to prove what kind of player he is.
“I really haven’t picked up any new offers recently,” Hodge said. “This is really a slow time in the recruiting process because everyone is starting their season. I am still getting letters from a lot of different schools though.”
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The 6-foot-0, 195-pound attended the NIKE camp in Miami in early April where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. He ran the shuttle in 4.25 seconds, had a vertical leap of 25 inches and did 17 reps on the bench press.
“”My list of favorites really hasn’t changed any over the past couple of months,” Hodge said. “If I had to name a top five I would say Iowa, Miami, Florida State, North Carolina State and Duke. I am also looking at Pittsburgh, LSU, Rutgers and Florida. I don’t have any favorites.”
As a junior Hodge had 108 tackles, nine sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and an interception.
“I am really taking things slow right now,” Hodge said. “I just want to take all of my official visits and see all of these schools for myself. I just want to be sure to make the right decision.
We just started practice today and I am really focused on the season. We have a lot of talent and I think that we can have a really good season. We have some great and a great coaching staff. I think we can do some good things this season if we stay focused.”
His first two years of high school he played on the varsity for Boyd Anderson before transferring to Dillard. He camped at Rutgers and LSU this summer. Hodge was an All-Broward selection as a junior. He is the brother of current University of Iowa linebacker Abdul Hodge.
“I think that I have a very similar playing style to my brother,” Hodge said. “We both use our sideline to sideline speed to make plays. I am not going to base my decision on where my brother is. He will be a red-shirt junior this year, so we would only get to play together for one year anyway.”