Gimme a Siren and a four-star safety WOOOOOO!!!
Hopefully the atomic meltdown going on in the message boards over the Devlin transfer can take a break today with the good news that Gerald Hodges has verbally committed to Penn State.
Rutgers' loss is Penn State's gain as Paulsboro free safety Gerald Hodges changed his oral commitment from staying in New Jersey to heading for Happy Valley.The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Hodges plans to enroll at Penn State next month.
"It was a really hard decision," Hodges said last night by phone. "I had a really good relationship with Rutgers, but I just felt Penn State was the best fit."
Hodges was a four-year varsity performer for Paulsboro. He attended Penn State's Oct. 18 game against Michigan, won by the Nittany Lions, 46-17. He left that game with a favorable impression.
"It was a great atmosphere there," he said.
He's looking forward to getting started as soon as possible.
"I think it will really help me to get there early," he said. "I hope to be able to contribute right away."
As the article says, Hodges was originally a Rutgers commit, but he opened up his recruitment and did a slow dance with Penn State for the past month or two. Then a few weeks ago he announced Penn State and Rutgers were his final two choices. I guess Rutgers must have landed a better safety. Afterall, we only get their leftovers.
Just a note to other Rutgers recruits: We kind of have an opening at quarterback in 2010 if you're interested. Just sayin'.
Hodges will make an outstanding fit at Penn State. We have an immediate opening at free safety in 2009. Hodges plans to enroll early and he's one of the few kids in the country athletic enough to come in and play right away. Don't be surprised if he's starting by the time Big Ten play starts.
Now enjoy this nine minute youtube video of Hodges that probably should have been edited down to one minute. (Watch the really good run at the 2:00 mark. The rest is meh.)
Gerald Hodges Jr. - Paulsboro HS, New Jersey (NEW) (via Cmel28)