[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.