'09 NJ S Gerald Hodges (Rutgers Verbal)

[GoRU]

'09 NJ S Gerald Hodges



Safety
Paulsboro (NJ) Paulsboro

Ht: 6-foot-3
Wt: 215 lbs
Forty: 4.46 secs
Bench max: 350 pounds
Class: 2009 (High School)

[HotMic]

Scout (FREE)

3/28

By B. Lichtenfels. Video interview and highlights.

[wadc45]

Rivals $

4/16

Talks about how much fun the informal "Special Knight" was at Rutgers on Tuesday.

[HotMic]

Scout $

5/7

By B Lichtenfels. Hodges says that most schools are looking at him as a safety. He talks about Rutgers, Pennn State, and Maryland (all offered). He names no favorites.

[wadc45]

Scout $

5/27

From the Rutgers site...most recent offers are from Tennessee, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Boston College. Talks about his interest in Rutgers and plans to take all five officials.

[GoRU]

Paulsboro's Hodges says he'll play football for Rutgers | Philadelphia Inquirer | 06/22/2008

Paulsboro's Gerald Hodges, considered one of the top football recruits in South Jersey, said yesterday he will attend Rutgers in 2009.

The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Hodges, who was scheduled to visit Rutgers today, played quarterback and safety last season, but could be moving to running back. And he is being recruited as a safety.

Hodges' decision adds to the success Rutgers has had in recruiting players from South Jersey. Penns Grove running back-defensive back Aaron Hayward, one of South Jersey's top players, also chose the Scarlet Knights.

Hodges was an Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey selection last season as a defensive back, with 65 tackles and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 783 yards and eight touchdowns and passed for 552 yards and four touchdowns.

"Every time I looked at different schools, Rutgers always popped in my head," Hodges said yesterday. Hodges said that he had 16 or 17 offers, Penn State among them.

First off, THANK YOU to Aaron and Tom for working their magic. Savage in particular deserves all the credit in the world for being the lynchpin in this class. Our staff also did a very good job of staggering silent verbals to create the appearance of momentum.

One thing I don't understand: this supposedly leaked Friday, but Rivals/Scout have to sit on it until 11 am today?

Despite what the article says, Hodges is likely headed to LB.

Edit: Another verbal was expected Sunday, but might happen Monday instead.

[GoRU]

Paulsboro star chooses Rutgers - Rutgers Football - News, training camp updates, blogs, schedule, columns and more - NJ.com

Gerald Hodges, one of the top players in South Jersey and projected for now as a safety in college, was the latest to join the fold when he gave head coach Greg Schiano a verbal commitment for 2009. The two-sport star from Paulsboro High School became the 16th player in a class that is shaping up as the best in school history.

If that isn't the case yet -- Hodges is rated a four-star recruit by Scout.com and a three-star (but under evaluation) by Rivals.com -- that could be the reality shortly, said recruiting guru Mike Farrell of Rivals.com.

He said the recruiting word he has is that inside linebacker Glenn Carson of Southern Regional High School, who was recently offered by Notre Dame, and cornerback Logan Ryan of Eastern High in Voorhees also have Rutgers as their leaders and may be ready to commit. Both are among the best at their positions in the country.

"It's already the best class Rutgers has ever had and it could get better," said Farrell.

A 6-3, 218-pounder, Hodges started at quarterback and safety for Paulsboro last year. The star wrestler has been clocked in 4.46 for the 40 and may grow to be a linebacker.

Hodges, who was down to Rutgers and Penn State after receiving 17 offers, said his decision became clear during recent weeks when he was talking to another coach or thinking about visiting a different school.

"Other coaches would talk to me about their school and their program and I would be thinking about Rutgers," he said.

Hodges said he also spoke to former Paulsboro High star Alex Silvestro, now a defensive lineman for the Knights.

"He had nothing but good things to say about the school and the program," said Hodges. "They're really building something special there."

Being part of a recruiting class that should rate as the program's best ever was a lure too.

"That had an impact," Hodges said. "I know I'm going to be coming in with other good players."