5th round, 2nd pick CB Alphonso Hodge

[Mr. Laz]

Alphonso Hodge Grade: 3.46
Position: CB
Class: Sr
School: Miami (OH)
Conference: MAC
Ht., Wt.: 5-11, 203
40 Time: 4.52
Grading System


BIO: All-Conference selection and consistent starter the past three seasons. Posted 52 tackles and broke up six passes as a senior.

POSITIVES: Outstanding athlete with good cover skills. Quick backpedaling in reverse, immediately plants on the throw and displays an explosive break to the action. Fluid turning to run with opponents off the line and easily stays downfield with receivers. Loses nothing transitioning back to the ball and displays good reaction. Runs with receivers laterally and has a solid break to the pass.

NEGATIVES: Does not play to his size, rarely slows opponents with jams at the line of scrimmage, does more knocking down then tackling and has difficulty battling large receivers. Played back on his heels as a senior and seemingly did more chasing than recovering. Has not recorded an interception in three years.

ANALYSIS: An athletic cornerback with innate skills, Hodge must start to show more consistency and significantly improve his ball skills. Needs to become more physical, play to his measurables and prove he is more than just a nickel back at the next level.

PROJECTION: Late Fourth Round

[eazyb81]

I don't dislike the pick, but I can't believe we let Hawthorne and Mosley slip by us. I understand not taking Hawthorne, but Mosley was considered a borderline 1st rounder just a couple weeks ago.....what happened? He is a big guy and would put pressure on Sims to play up to his potential.

[Hammock Parties]

Positives: Well-built athlete with thick shoulders and biceps, good bubble, knotted calves and large hands … Has natural feet and can flip his hips, generating good explosion in attempts to run to the ball … Uses his hands with force to press and jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage … Shows excellent range and crispness cutting out of his breaks and has the top-end speed to immediately recover … Times his leaps well going up for the ball and has the strength to fill the rush lanes … Opens his hips and shows smooth feet in his backpedal … Very effective using the trail technique in man coverage … Quick out of his breaks and has a good feel for zone coverage, as he can cover ground quickly on the turn and run … Good worker in the weight room who has the strength to match up well against tight ends and fullbacks blocking in the short area.

Negatives: Does not always show quick read and diagnose skills, lacking awareness mostly on running plays … Slow to digest the play and by the time he locates the ball, he is a step behind the play and then takes bad angles in attempts to compensate in pursuit … Has good strength, but will not shock or jolt blockers coming up in run support, as he tends to take only passive swipes … Seemed hesitant to stick his head in the pile until 2004 … More of a grab-down tackler who can miss in the open when he tries to arm tackle … Lacks natural hands (zero interceptions) and has problems tracking the ball over his shoulder.

INJURY REPORT

2003 -- Saw limited action vs. Central Florida (Oct. 28) and Bowling Green (Dec. 04) due to a high ankle sprain.

AGILITY

4.36 in the 40-yard dash … 345-pound bench press … 510-pound squat … 330-power clean … 35½-inch vertical jump … 31-inch arm length … 9 ¾-inch hands … Right-handed.

[AirForceChief]

Described as a true shut down corner!!

OVERVIEW
A true shutdown cornerback, Alphonso Hodge started his last 27 games for the RedHawks. He was not only the strongest defensive back on the team, but also the fastest player in the Mid-American Conference, boasting a 4.36 clocking in the 40-yard dash.

Hodge was a first-team All-League, All-District and All-State selection as a senior at Saint Edward (Cleveland) High. He earned three letters as a defensive back and tailback for the Eagles and was honored as the team's 1999 MVP.

Hodge redshirted in 2000 at Miami and saw action in seven games during the 2001 campaign, earning a starting assignment against Hawaii. He finished his freshman year with eight tackles and two pass deflections. Hodge started the first seven games of the 2002 season, producing 30 tackles (20 solo) with a pair of sacks and seven pass break-ups.

He was a second-team All-Mid American Conference choice in 2003, starting every game. Hodge came up with 47 tackles (27 solo), a sack, three fumble recoveries and nine pass breakups. Hodge allowed only three touchdown catches in 2004, as he made a career-high 52 tackles (41 solo). He developed into a force at the line of scrimmage, registering five sacks and seven stops for losses. He also deflected six passes in his final season with the RedHawks.

In 46 games, Hodge totaled 147 tackles (103 solo) with eight sacks for minus-48 yards, 10 stops for losses of 51 yards, three fumble recoveries and 24 pass deflections.


ANALYSIS
Positives: Well-built athlete with thick shoulders and biceps, good bubble, knotted calves and large hands. … Has natural feet and can flip his hips, generating good explosion in attempts to run to the ball. … Uses his hands with force to press and jam the receivers at the line of scrimmage. … Shows excellent range and crispness cutting out of his breaks and has the top-end speed to immediately recover. … Times his leaps well going up for the ball and has the strength to fill the rush lanes. … Opens his hips and shows smooth feet in his backpedal. … Very effective using the trail technique in man coverage. … Quick out of his breaks and has a good feel for zone coverage, as he can cover ground quickly on the turn and run. … Good worker in the weight room who has the strength to match up well against tight ends and fullbacks blocking in the short area.

Negatives: Struggles to get by in the classroom and also does not always show quick read and diagnose skills, lacking awareness mostly on running plays. … Slow to digest the play and by the time he locates the ball, he is a step behind the play and then takes bad angles in attempts to compensate in pursuit. … Has good strength, but will not shock or jolt blockers coming up in run support, as he tends to take only passive swipes. … Seemed hesitant to stick his head in the pile until 2004. … More of a grab-down tackler who can miss in the open when he tries to arm tackle. … Lacks natural hands (zero interceptions) and has problems tracking the ball over his shoulder.


INJURY REPORT
2003: Saw limited action vs. Central Florida (10/28) and Bowling Green (12/04) due to a high ankle sprain.


AGILITY
4.36 in the 40-yard dash … 345-pound bench press … 510-pound squat … 330-power clean … 35.5-inch vertical jump … 31-inch arm length … 9 ¾-inch hands … Right-handed … 18/34 Wonderlic score.

[Mr. Laz]

does not bode well for McCleon and Bartee

[jspchief]

Didn't we give this pick to Miami in the Surtain deal? I thought we swapped it for the 138th pick.

[Mr. Laz]

Didn't we give this pick to Miami in the Surtain deal? I thought we swapped it for the 138th pick.

we had two 5th round picks because we picked up an extra one for trading Truluck to Green bay.

we exchanged our lower 5th(146) to miami for their higher 5th rounder.

[Rausch]

does not bode well for McCleon and Bartee

Nope, but that does bode well for our defense.... :)

[keg in kc]

we had two 5th round picks because we picked up an extra one for trading Truluck to Green bay.

we exchanged our lower 5th(146) to miami for their higher 5th rounder.We traded 162, not 146.