Introducing Stephen Hodge

I've seen a few posts asking about Stephen Hodge, and his 6th round status leaves most writers justified with a one-two line snipit about him. As a cowboy fan and TCU alumni, I can't help to think we found a diamond in the rough with this pick. As such, I will oblige myself to do a quick write up on him for the BTB fans.

Hodge is a QB turned DB out of Tatum, TX. In HS he posted two consecutive seasons with 1,500+ rushing and 1,500+ passing, and 40 TDs. Then he met Gary Patterson and became a defensive, man-eating machine at SS.

Once at TCU he started all 12 games as a true freshman in 2005. In 2006 he became a bigger part in the game plan, mainly as a reserve safety and special teams ace. He recorded 5 special teams tackles TWICE in 2006, and 25 of his 30 tackles were solo stops. Then he broke out in 2007 with a 2nd-Team All MWC selection. He led the nation in sacks by a DB with 8, and 12 of his 57 tackles were for losses. He was also 2nd on the team in pass deflections.

Last year he was a SportingNews preseason all american, and finished 1st-Team All MWC. Dave Campbell's Texas Football named him the best safety in Texas. He placed 3rd on one of the top defenses in the nation with 81 tackles. He also recorded 10 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, and averaged 24 yards on 4 kick returns. He led the team with 23 special teams tackles, 6 of them coming in one game against San Diego State. He was Defensive MVP in the Poinsetta Bowl victory against Boise State, recording 11 tackles, a sack, and the game-winning interception.

He is 6'0", and played around 215-225 at TCU, but he was at 235 for the combine, and might even bulk up to 245 if the boys are serious about converting him to LB. He runs a 4.5 forty, so he is somewhere between mediocre speed for a safety or speedy gonzalez at LB. He is very controlled, finds the ball, and hits hard

This guy is smart, motivated, level headed, and a beast of a tackler with polamalu-like instincts at finding the ball. In 4 years of watching him play, I dont remember him giving up too much down field, and was at least servicable in pass coverage.

He isnt going to deliver interceptions, but he will be a great asset to special teams. And on the defensive side of the ball, he could end up being what Roy Williams could never live up to. I see him as a hybrid of Keith Davis/Roy Williams/Brian Dawkins.

Expect this kid to make the team. Dont expect him to immediately contribute on D. Do expect him to make some bone crushing stops on special teams. Don't expect him to solve our coverage problems at safety. Do expect to see him get involved with sub packages and play in inside the box safety or pass coverage LB. Do expect this guy to be around the league for a long time.