As National Signing Day approaches, Longhorn recruiting continues to pick up steam at a frenetic pace. Today Texas received another junior college boost in the form of offensive tackle Brandon Hodges. The East Mississippi Community College product is the twentieth commitment in Charlie Strong’s inaugural class and is set to be a spring enrollee. Hodges chose Texas over offers from Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Illinois, and South Florida.
As seen since last year’s regime change, the Texas staff is not afraid to wade into the waters of the junior college talent pool to add prospects that have the ability to contribute right away. Hodges is the third junior college commitment for the Horns, and the second on the offensive line. With the struggles the Texas line faced this season, there is a need for players to immediately contribute to daily practice competition, as well as overall depth.
Hodges joins Navarro Junior College tackle Tristan Nickelson on a unit that could really use a shot in the arm. Hodges took a visit to Texas in November and was very impressed with what he saw and seized a chance to learn under the respected Joe Wickline. East Mississippi Community College has been a talent factory as of late and Hodges looks to be the next in line to transfer to a big time program.
Film Analysis:
At 6’5, 290 lbs., Hodges has some room to pack on weight but is probably close to his true playing weight. While he is obviously a large human, his frame isn’t packed with a lot of bad weight.
Hodges has the long arms you look for in a left tackle prospect, but shows much better against the run than he does against the pass. On run plays Hodges fires off the ball and shows good strength to drive players downfield. He also shows good lateral movement and footwork when zone blocking. Hodges also has that much coveted mean-streak fans like to see in offensive linemen, and looks athletic enough to engage defenders in the open field.
In pass protection Hodges is a little slow out of his stance and has some technique issues that prevent him from establishing a good base. The scheme that he plays in has very few deep drops and relies on quick passing so there isn’t much film of him dropping deep into pass protection. Even with the technique issues in pass protection Hodges has solid, raw skills and will provide Wickline with very coachable tools and athleticism.
Final Verdict:
Hodges is further along in his development than Nickelson and should be an instant contributor. At this point I think he’s more of a right tackle prospect, but with the situation at Texas he could help on either side. While he’s not quite the prospect Donald Hawkins was coming out of Junior College, his ceiling is that of a 2 year starter and all conference performer. This is a big get at a need position that injects an instant solution to some of the problems Texas faced this season.
