Hodges Looks To Lead Crimson's Charge

You have never seen senior Zach Hodges quite like this, you might have thought if you went to Harvard football practice this week.

Maybe you have seen Hodges line up many times, hands on the turf like an elite sprinter, ready to attack his prey with unmatched ferocity.

Even when he is not in the game, you notice him, always dancing, all arms and exuberance. You can’t miss him: No. 99 in the fluorescent cap, armbands, and socks.

But at a practice this week, you could. You could have gone down to Harvard Stadium and watched a two-hour practice while hardly catching a glimpse of the man they call “Sack Hodges.”

If you did that, you probably left confused as to why Hodges is considered one of the country’s top NFL prospects. You probably asked yourself why Hodges was so different. You had never seen him like that.

Let me explain.

Maybe you missed him because he is playing a different position. Straying from his spot on the right tackle’s shoulder, Hodges is practicing standing up as a hybrid lineman/linebacker this year.

It is not often that a reigning Ivy League Player of the Year changes positions, but Harvard coach Tim Murphy said Hodges’ new role better exploits his versatility.

“He’s a guy you will see in a lot of different places,” Murphy said. “He can drop [back in coverage], he can rush, [and] he can play inside as a linebacker.”

The move will help Hodges’ NFL chances, as he projects as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level. Murphy said that if an NFL scout asked a year ago about Hodges’ ability to seamlessly transition to that position in the pros, Murphy’s response would have been “it is hard to picture.”

Now though, Murphy added, “there is no question.”

Hodges has already been named to the watch list for the 2014 Butkus Award, given to the country’s top linebacker. He is the only FCS player to make the list.

Dane Brugler, an NFL Draft analyst for CBSsports.com recently labeled Hodges a “potential top-100 prospect” in the 2015 draft. The site lists him as the nation’s No. 2 senior linebacker, behind only Clemson’s Vic Beasley. Hodges is projected as a second or third-round pick on the site.

“To be honest with you, I’ve been sort of amazed by his instant ability as a linebacker,” Murphy said. “He’s probably even more of a natural when he’s in a two-point stance at the second level [compared to playing defensive end].”

All that hype probably made you look particularly hard for Hodges during practice.

But once you found him, you probably lost sight of him again. Hodges lingered at the back of the line during drills and often eased up when he was in. Eventually, you probably realized why.

During an 11-on-11 drill, Hodges slowly drifted from standing opposite a slot receiver towards his traditional home along the line of scrimmage before the snap of the ball. You could briefly see the kinetic energy welling up in his shuffling legs, the kind that shows up before Hodges does something only Hodges does.

But then you heard, and you were made aware.

“Easy Zach,” a coach yelled out just before the ball was snapped. “Easy. Easy.”

The coach also saw and knew, so he stopped Hodges unlike you had seen Hodges stopped before.

Practice like you play, football coaches tell most players. But Hodges is not most players.

“He doesn’t always really bring it because, put quite simply, we tell him against some guys you just can’t do that,” Murphy said. “They are either going to get hurt or they are going to get so embarrassed that we limit his reps.”

The restraints help Hodges too. After he dealt with a strained groin last year, the coaching staff is making sure his intensity does not lead to another injury before the season starts.

Hodges ended up having to leave practice early, but you might not have noticed. The real Zach Hodges was never there to begin with.

The drab white tape he wore was evidence of that. He will save the real stuff for game day.

Practice makes perfect, they say. But if you already can play like Hodges, maybe it is better not to risk it.

Don’t believe that?

Well, you will see.

—Staff writer Jacob D. H. Feldman can be reached at jacob.feldman@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @jacobfeldman4.