Devlin Hodges
Quarterback
Samford
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Devlin Hodges: My height was 6’0 3/8, 207 and I haven’t run a 40 time yet. Last time, I ran a 4.67 hand time.
Alex Khvatov: Where will you be training for the NFL Draft?
Devlin Hodges: At QB Country in Birmingham, Alabama. I am training with Ben Neill. He was at Samford before. I have known him for a while. I have all of the confidence in the world in Ben. QB Country is pretty popular. They have a location in Mobile, Alabama. David Morris is training Daniel Jones over there.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall experience at the Tropical Bowl all-star game in Daytona Beach, FL.
Devlin Hodges: First of all, it was warm weather. It was a cool experience. Guys chasing the same dream. I got to meet guys from different schools and met new people. I met a lot of scouts and talked to those guys. I threw the ball well. Personally, I commanded the huddle. At Samford, we went no huddle. It was a spread offense.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest thing that you will take away from that weekend?
Devlin Hodges: There are a lot of guys putting in the same work. It just kind of hit me again. It was just reinforced. I have to work for it every day.
Alex Khvatov: Who was the best player that you have faced at the Tropical Bowl?
Devlin Hodges: Two players. Receiver from Valdosta State, Jody Fortson was a big target. He made a terrific one-handed catch for the TD in practice. RB Isaiah Johnson from Eastern Illinois had big runs. He got the MVP award at this all-star game and the previous one that they had.
Alex Khvatov: What type of feedback did you receive from scouts?
Devlin Hodges: They tried to get to know me and asked about my family. They know who I am and what I bring to the table. It was positive feedback. They told me to keep working hard. I will get a shot. I just need to be ready.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Devlin Hodges: Samford was my smallest offer. I had offers from C-USA schools and Sun Belt. I was committed to Southern Miss for two months. I decided to decommit from there.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Samford?
Devlin Hodges: Samford was a better place for me. I had a better shot to play early. I had a better shot to play for the National Championship. We were close every year. We won SoCon championship.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about your career.
Devlin Hodges: I redshirted my first year. Next year, I didn’t start the first three games. I went in at halftime against Citadel. It was the third or fourth game of the year. I had a big game. I started against Western Carolina the following week and had a huge game. I never looked back. We had four straight winning seasons. We made back to back playoff appearances. We now have six winning seasons in a row. It was disappointing not to make the playoffs this year. Individually, I broke Steve McNair’s record for passing yards at FCS level. I won Walter Payton award my senior year. I won conference player of the year. I actually won SoCon Offensive Player of the Year three years in a row. I won Columbus Player of the Year award. I was named team captain all four years. The team votes on it. It shows that they respect me. I work hard and I am accountable. At the Walter Payton ceremony, I told my dad that I could never imagine accomplishing all of these things in my career. All of my achievements speak highly of the teammates I had and how good they were. I couldn’t have done it without them. They made my job a lot easier.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Devlin Hodges: I love football. I am a competitor. I find a way. I make quick decisions and have a quick release. I am good at extending the play. I am good in the pocket. Sometimes it does hurt me when I extend plays. I need to realize that throwing the ball away is okay sometimes. As long as I am in the right system, I am a hell of a QB.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Devlin Hodges: I have three things that I need to work on. Getting my footwork right from under center. Continue to master and learn the different types of coverages. I need to get my body in the best shape for March 7th pro day.
Alex Khvatov: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment during your college career?
Devlin Hodges: Being team captain all four years.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Devlin Hodges: There are a lot of them, but I got one. During my junior season, we played against VMI. My younger brother was a QB for them. We played against each other. Now he transferred to North Alabama. He had to sit out last year. He should be the guy for them for two years. He is 6’2 and 225. He is more of a pocket passer. He is a game manager. He led his high school to a State Championship. He has a strong arm.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Devlin Hodges: It was Brett Favre growing up. I also like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees. But I have a close tie to Brett Favre. I signed with his agent Bus Cook.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a QB?
Devlin Hodges: Accountability is first and foremost. Confidence is 1A.
Alex Khvatov: How would you describe your teammate WR Kelvin McKnight?
Devlin Hodges: I hope we wind up on the same team. He is a great guy off the field. He does nothing wrong and puts in a lot of work. I have seen him go up against NFL CB’s. Not many people can cover him one on one in the NFL. He made my job a lot easier.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for next season?
Devlin Hodges: Safety Koi Freeman is about 6’2 or 6’3. He is an athletic freak. He got injured this year against FSU. He made a lot of plays for us as a freshman. He has a shot at the NFL.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the toughest player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Devlin Hodges: Lorenzo Carter from Georgia. He was the toughest player. Our RB tried to help the tackle block him during the game, and he just ran right through him to get into the backfield.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Devlin Hodges: The feeling in the locker room after a win. Also the work and the preparation that goes into this game.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your biggest role model and why?
Devlin Hodges: My parents. The way they raised my brother and I. They worked so hard. They drove me to camps and helped with the recruiting process.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Devlin Hodges: A leader has to be accountable. A leader has to outwork everyone. A leader also has to find a way and get the team in position for a win.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Devlin Hodges: My nickname is “Duck”. I am a duck caller. I am a world championship duck caller. I did it in middle school and in high school. I did it this year in college. You have to qualify at the regional or state competition. We had some time off from camp in August. They had a duck calling contest around this time at Alabama. I won the contest and qualified for the worlds. We didn’t make the playoffs this year. I went to the worlds, and they had 50 guys there. My whole family hunts ducks.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Devlin Hodges: I am pursuing my master’s right now. I got my bachelor’s in sports administration. Maybe I will get into the hunting industry or coach high school football.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Devlin Hodges: Accountable, competitor, fun, calm and perseverance.
