'05 FL LB Elijah Hodge (Wisconsin signee)

[BuckNutty]

http://scout.theinsiders.com/a.z?s=73&p=8&cfg=null&c=1&yr=2005&nid=1159651
http://www.ohiostate.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?pr_key=26858



Elijah Hodge
Ft. Lauderdale (FL)
Dillard
Height: 6-foot-0
Weight: 195 pounds
40-yard dash: 4.5 seconds
Bench max: 315 pounds
Bench reps: 17
Squat max: 450 pounds
Vertical leap: 25 inches
Shuttle time: 4.25 seconds
GPA: 3.0
SAT: 980

Audibles: "Speed is his best attribute. He’s run a 4.45 before. He can really move fore a guy that size. He’s also on our track team in the 400 and 4x4 relay. But he’s also a very intelligent kid. His knowledge of the game is up there high. He’s a natural leader and very dedicated to the program. He’s got all those attributes you look for in a player. " -Dillard coach Keith Franklin

Biography:
A few years ago nobody wanted to talk about Abdul Hodge from Boyd Anderson as one of the state’s best linebackers, despite his ability to go out and dominate every Friday night. People said he was too slow and wasn’t heavy enough. Three years later, Hodge is widely considered the best linebacker in the Big 10 and has NFL scouts excited for when he comes out. As good as Abdul was as a prep linebacker, his younger brother’s even better. While everyone talked about Vernon Smith as one of the state’s top linebackers at Dillard last season, it was Hodge who was making all the plays. There were some games where he went over 20 in that department. From a pure linebacker standpoint, there isn’t a better one in Florida. He plays with tremendous instincts. He plays a complete game, too. He fills holes and his motor is always running. At a scrimmage between Dillard teammates, Hodge acts like it’s the Super Bowl. He’s always full of energy on the field and is the type of kid you love to have on your side, especially in big games. While he’s not the biggest or fastest guy out there, I sure hope people don’t make the same mistake they did when evaluating his brother a few years ago. Elijah plays track and was a member of his former school’s 4x1 relay team. He’s a great athlete who loves to compete. He’s a throwback. He reminds me a lot of Jonathan Vilma at this age. Hodge is the best linebacker in Florida right now and he’ll be able to show it at the next level if he’s able to put on weight while maintaining the speed, quickness, and athletic ability that he flashes today.

According to Hodge's Insiders page he will be making an official visit to Ohio State on 1/7/05. The Insiders have rated him a 4 star player. Rivals lists him as a 3 star.


From 9/23/04:

Originally Posted by Buckskin86

Insiders premium

Elijiah Hodge has promised three schools a visit (tOSU, Iowa-brother goes there and NCST). tOSU was just at his school Monday (sounds like Buckeye coaches toured S. Florida schools this week). Obviously Miami is also in the mix.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-blustein20oct20,0,112708.story?coll=sfla-sports-headlines

Another hot Broward prospect is Dillard linebacker Elijah Hodge. The 6-0, 200-pounder has received offers from Iowa (where brother Abdul stars), North Carolina State, Ohio State, Pittsburgh and Rutgers. While Miami hasn't offered, many believe he would commit to the Hurricanes if they do.

[BuckeyeNation27]

Elijiah Hodge has promised three schools a visit (tOSU, Iowa-brother goes there and NCST).

as in Abdul Hodge? If this kid is anywhere near as good as his brother he is a must get. I would have to think he is strong towards Iowa if he has that kind of talent. They've been good for his bro.

[LloydSev]

Agreed.. it would be hard to pull him away from Miami as it is.. but if you are going to, it's hard to say it wouldn't be Iowa because of his brother.. unless he doesn't enjoy going to Iowa.

[BuckNutty]

Originally Posted by BuckeyeNation27

as in Abdul Hodge? If this kid is anywhere near as good as his brother he is a must get. I would have to think he is strong towards Iowa if he has that kind of talent. They've been good for his bro.

Yep, Abdul is his brother. There's a picture on the Insiders with Elijah wearing an Iowa jersey and some corn hat. Didn't think it was appropariate for this site.

[tsteele316]

6' 195lbs as a lb?

that sounds quite a bit like freddie lennix size to me. he sounds like he could be a bit of a tweener as well.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

6' 195lbs as a lb?

that sounds quite a bit like freddie lennix size to me. he sounds like he could be a bit of a tweener as well.

While his brother Abdul is bigger (6'2", 230), some good ol' Big Ten weight training could easily put 30 pounds of muscle on him in a couple years, and with a 4.5 fourty, he's already faster than Abdul.

[tsteele316]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

While his brother Abdul is bigger (6'2", 230), some good ol' Big Ten weight training could easily put 30 pounds of muscle on him in a couple years, and with a 4.5 fourty, he's already faster than Abdul.

no doubt. it just seems like if osu was going to offer a tweener, it would be lennix. perhaps hodge has the body structure to easily put on more weight.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by tsteele316

no doubt. it just seems like if osu was going to offer a tweener, it would be lennix. perhaps hodge has the body structure to easily put on more weight.

I don't think it's that they're purposely going after a "tweener", but rather looking for position talent without a whole lot of regard for current physique...

[jimotis4heisman]

cie grantish type guy?? how big was cie when he was in hs?

[Buckskin86]

free Bnuts

Elijah Hodge:
Dillard was not void of big name prospects as Hodge proved to be a one-man wrecking crew. In the first quarter, I counted, unofficially, Hodge recording five straight tackles. He stands over six feet tall and seems to have a real nose for the ball, complemented by excellent lateral speed.

In the first half, he seemed very tough. The second half brought a continued pounding of the Ely running attack, eventually wearing down Hodge as well as the whole Dillard defense. The Ely attack seemed focused on taking him out of plays. On one particular play, a pulling guard knocked him flat on his back.

I spoke to Hodge briefly after the game about his visit to Columbus last weekend.

"It was a good experience," Hodge said. "I got to see more of the community at Ohio State. It was more than I thought it was going to be."

"No teams are leading at this time, but if I had to list schools, they would be NC State, Ohio State, and Miami," Hodge said, discussing the recruiting process. "I'm going NC-State on December 3rd and Iowa on December 10th. I never know when I'll commit, just as soon as I feel comfortable with a place." (Hodge's brother plays for Iowa)

Hodge scored a 980 on his SAT's and has a 3.2 core GPA.

So, Elijah, have the Buckeyes offered?

"Well, Coach Fickell and Coach Hazell are recruiting me as a linebacker. They have not offered yet, but it's coming," said an assured Hodge.

[Buckskin86]

Insiders premium- Allen Wallace

Hodge favors NCST slightly over Iowa, tOSU, FSU and Miami.

He will visit tOSU for the scUM game.

[Buckskin86]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/s...orts-headlines

Hodge has grown up in the shadow of his older brother Abdul, who has turned into one of the nation's top linebackers at the University of Iowa.

Since his ninth-grade season at Boyd Anderson, Hodge has been living up to what his brother did. This year he finally escaped that large shadow and has been viewed as one of the best linebackers in the nation.

While playing at Dillard, where pressure follows its top athletes, the support system for this standout begins with his brother, continues with longtime coach and mentor Patrick Wells and has been joined by Panthers first-year coach Keith Franklin.

Unlike Smith, who keeps his life a closed book, Hodge has opened up to everyone. He lists Ohio State, Iowa, N.C. State, Florida, Miami and Florida State as schools he is strongly interested in.

While some suggest he would jump at the opportunity to attend the University of Miami, Hodge knows his value is one that is attracting national attention.

"The only thing that has ever appealed to me is to know that I will attend a college that will provide for me," Hodge said. "Football is very important, but I want a college degree and have the opportunity to create a life for myself after my playing days are over."

With phone calls coming from every corner of the nation, Hodge screens none of them. He has been waiting too long to go through this process.

When his team was ruled out of the playoffs for using an ineligible player, it marked the end of his career. But it also started the next chapter. As he looks at postseason all-star games and makes a decision on where to attend college, he knows this will be an important time.

"When I arrived here last spring, all I heard about from the teachers and the coaches was Elijah Hodge," Franklin said. "As I got to know him and see what he was all about, there was little doubt that he was the total package. Easily the best linebacker I have watched and a young man you never had to worry about in the classroom."

Hodge will be up for his 2nd visit (in a little over a month) this weekend.

[Helpinghand]

You don't have to worry about him going to Iowa because of his brother.

His brother, abdul will be coming out early...

Also, he is around 205 right now.

[Buckskin86]

Rivals premium

He lists his visits as tOSU (this weekend), NCST (Dec. 3rd), Iowa (Dec. 10th) and he is still looking at Duke and Pitt. He says tOSU has "alot of tradition" and is a "great school".

[Buckskin86]

Rivals premium

Hodge had a great trip and was impressed with the intensity of the game.
He said he liked everything about the trip. But he will still take all his visits before making any decisions. He says all the schools he is looking at are "fairly even".