Here's an interview...
http://www.nfldraftworld.com/alphonsohodgeinterview.htm
Miami-Ohio isn’t known for producing big-time NFL talents. In fact, only three RedHawks have been drafted in the last five years and only two have been first round picks in the entire history of the draft. Recently I had time to talk to Alphonso Hodge, a cornerback at Miami-Ohio. He is someone I have been impressed with ever since watching the team’s game tape in 2002. Scroll down to see how Alphonso answered my questions…
Name: Alphonso Hodge
Position: Cornerback
School: Miami-Ohio
Jersey Number: 9
Height: 5’11
Weight: 208
40: 4.40
Editor’s Notes: One name you may want to remember for the 2005 Draft is Alphonso Hodge. Not a lot of people are talking about him now, but he’s someone who will start to turn heads this fall and right into spring workouts and all-star games. When I went back to Alphonso’s tape this week, I noticed a few things scouts will like. No, it wasn’t his big hits or his interceptions like you may think, but his discipline on the field as a corner. With a big senior season, Alphonso could land in the first day of the 2005 Draft.
NFLDW: Just to start, can you give me your current height, weight, 40, vertical, bench press, and squat?
Alphonso Hodge: I’m 5’11, 208 lbs. I was timed at 4.35 by my coaches, but the pro scouts had me at 4.40. My vertical was a 36. Bench was 355. Squat was 515.
NFLDW: What other schools were you recruited by coming out of high school?
AH: Michigan, Iowa, and all of the MAC schools. I had letters from just about everybody.
NFLDW: What made you choose Miami-Ohio over those schools?
AH: Well, I was originally going to go to Michigan, but I had some problems with my test results and Miami (Ohio) was one of the only schools that stuck with me.
NFLDW: How about before college, did you play other sports in high school?
AH: Yeah, I wrestled my 10th grade year and ran track also.
NFLDW: What are your goals for the upcoming season?
AH: The team goal is to win the MAC championship and bowl game. Individually, I would like to eliminate the pass interference calls I had last year and make more big plays. I want to try to get my hands on the ball a little more and just shut down every receiver I go up against.
NFLDW: What other players on your team should the world know about?
AH: Darrell Hunter, the other corner on the other side of me. He’s a young guy. He is developing good. He has 4.29 speed. He’ll be one to watch for. Martin Nance, of course, he’s already at the top of all of the charts. 6’4, 210 receiver. Caught for 1,500 yards last year. He was 2nd team All-MAC. Larry Burt, he’s a very athletic defensive tackle. He’s a big, fast, agile guy. I’ve seen him do backflips. Terna Nande, he’s a freak. He’s from Africa and may be the strongest person I’ve ever seen face to face. I’ve watched him do 225, forty times and he’s only a sophomore. That’s just ridiculous and he runs a 4.48. Matt Pusateri, he’s a great college player. But, his speed will mess him up because he only runs a 4.7 or 4.8, but he’s still a gamer. We have a lot of other young guys. Ryne Robertson was a 3rd team All-American. He was 2nd in the country in punt returns. Once Mike Larkin leaves and he gets the starting role and the go-to-guy he’ll become really good. In a couple years he’ll be one to watch for too.
NFLDW: Who is the best player you’ve ever played with or against?
AH: Freshman year I went against Ashley Lelie on Hawaii. He’s with the Denver Broncos now.
NFLDW: Who were your favorite athletes growing up as a kid?
AH: Deion Sanders, Eric Metcalf, Jerry Rice, and Randall Cunningham.
NFLDW: What do you consider your three biggest strengths and weaknesses as a cornerback?
AH: I feel that I’m one of the better one-on-one guys in the league and over the country. I feel I’m good in man-to-man and in zone. I could cover a lot of the field because of my speed. Also my strength and size, because I press a lot and get physical with the receiver. One of my weaknesses is ball awareness because on deep balls I tend to panic and not look back. That’s where I got the three pass interference calls last year. Just not adjusting to the ball has been a problem.
NFLDW: Knowing that football won’t be an option forever, what are your plans when your career is finished?
AH: I’d like to be a physical trainer. My major is physical therapy and exercise science. So I’d like to run a business like Chip Smith in Atlanta, where they train players in their pre-draft workouts. Even if I could I would love to work in a hospital and help rehab people that have been in car accidents or something.
NFLDW: Alright to finish off make your case right now, why should NFL personnel pick you in the NFL Draft?
AH: Because I’m going to give them my all. I leave it all on the field and will always do a little extra. Also because of my leadership role. Ever since my sophomore year, I’ve been one of the guys people could follow. And also because I’m just a shut down corner. If anyone needs a man-to-man shut down corner, I’m one of the guys they should choose.