Changa Hodge
Wide Receiver / Villanova
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Changa Hodge: My height is 6’1 or 6’2, my weight is in the 203-205 range and I haven’t run the forty.
Alex Khvatov: How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Changa Hodge: Right now, I am doing field stuff. But I was at Florida working with a receiver’s coach. Now I go to the gym in my basement. Our strength coach gives weight training agenda. We have zoom team and positional meetings.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Changa Hodge: I ran track and played basketball. I was a sprinter in track, and it was my second sport. I ran 100, 200, 4×100 relay and I was a hurdler. I competed in state and medaled in the top 8. I ran the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles in the final events. My mom was a cross country runner.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Changa Hodge: Mainly WR. I played a little safety and kick and punt returner.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Changa Hodge: I had two offers from Villanova and Stony Brook. I didn’t have a strong year as a junior. My senior year was strong. I became the No.1 WR as a senior. I felt more comfortable. I showed my ability. FBS schools got my contact information, but never pulled the trigger.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Villanova?
Changa Hodge: Athletics and education. It was a good combination. Getting a degree from Villanova, I will able to get a good job. It was the right choice. I am originally from Long Island, NY. My family moved to PA when I was in high school.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Changa Hodge: I ended up getting hurt a couple of days before the first game of my freshman season. We made the playoffs. I was able to recover and played in the playoffs. During my sophomore year, I ended up tearing a ligament during the third game against Temple. It was hard. It taught me patience and taking care of my body more. During my redshirt sophomore year, I was starting again. In the third game, I got turf toe. I was also dealing with an ankle injury. I was not able to play at 100%. But I only missed one game. I battled through those injuries. During my junior year, I took care of my body more. Last year, I finally had a breakout season. We went 5-6 my sophomore and junior year. We had issues on the team. There was no leadership. Last year, we started doing more of the little things. Building and growing as a team. We created a great culture.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest reason behind your breakout junior campaign?
Changa Hodge: I tried to be patient. I wanted to produce. I am grateful to see all of the hard work pay off. I was able to finally produce on the field. I am hoping to do it again this season.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Changa Hodge: My knowledge of the game, running good routes and knowing coverage. I can make big plays. My speed is also an asset.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Changa Hodge: Probably getting in and out of breaks a little faster. I can also work on turning the small plays into bigger plays. I need to make more moves in space.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Changa Hodge: This past season, the team was better. The season I had getting over 1,000 yards. It was one of my goals.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Changa Hodge: I have learned about leadership from my coaches. I wasn’t the most mature person in terms of being on time at first. As time went on, I became a leader for the younger guys.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Changa Hodge: I am a Giants fan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Changa Hodge: Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, and Julio Jones.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Changa Hodge: LB Forrest Rhyne, CB Jaquan Amos, and DL Malik Fisher on defense. On offense, QB Dan Smith, RB Justin Covington who led the FCS in rushing yards before his season ending injury. Freshman WR Jaaron Hayek had nearly 700 yards. He could have hit 1,000 yards. Rayjoun Pringle is another WR who has ability.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Changa Hodge: The #6 corner from UNH (Prince Smith Jr.). He was physical and he had good hips.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a WR?
Changa Hodge: Confidence in yourself to make the play.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Changa Hodge: Probably the grind. I wouldn’t appreciate it as much if it wasn’t for the grind. Lifting, conditioning, and getting up early. I appreciate it more.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from Villanova this upcoming season?
Changa Hodge: We are a playoff team. We have a championship caliber team. We just have to work for it.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Changa Hodge: My maturity has taken me a long way.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Changa Hodge: Drawing sometimes. I am a big fashion guy. I like hanging out with family and friends.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Changa Hodge: Somebody who can relate to all. When the bad comes, some leaders can’t really relate. A good leader can relate to the good and the bad. You have to push people to be great. A leader also has to do his best and show the way.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Changa Hodge: I want to get into the fashion industry. The business side of fashion. I was a liberal arts major and also communication. I want to open up a clothing line or sell different brands in my own store.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Changa Hodge: Patient, leader, mature, confident, and honest.
On Friday, May 29, 2020, 03:37:18 AM GMT+3, Alex K <smushems@yahoo.com> wrote:
Changa Hodge
Wide Receiver
Villanova
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Changa Hodge: My height is 6’1 or 6’2, my weight is in the 203-205 range and I haven’t run the forty.
Alex Khvatov: How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Changa Hodge: Right now, I am doing field stuff. But I was at Florida working with a receiver’s coach. Now I go to the gym in my basement. Our strength coach gives weight training agenda. We have zoom team and positional meetings.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Changa Hodge: I ran track and played basketball. I was a sprinter in track, and it was my second sport. I ran 100, 200, 4×100 relay and I was a hurdler. I competed in state and medaled in the top 8. I ran the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles in the final events. My mom was a cross country runner.
Alex Khvatov: What positions did you play in high school?
Changa Hodge: Mainly WR. I played a little safety and kick and punt returner.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in
you?
Changa Hodge: I had two offers from Villanova and Stony Brook. I didn’t have a strong year as a junior. My senior year was strong. I became the No.1 WR as a senior. I felt more comfortable. I showed my ability. FBS schools got my contact information, but never pulled the trigger.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Villanova?
Changa Hodge: Athletics and education. It was a good combination. Getting a degree from Villanova, I will able to get a good job. It was the right choice. I am originally from Long Island, NY. My family moved to PA when I was in high school.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your overall career.
Changa Hodge: I ended up getting hurt a couple of days before the first game of my freshman season. We made the playoffs. I was able to recover and played in the playoffs. During my sophomore year, I ended up tearing a ligament during the third game against Temple. It was hard. It taught me patience and taking care of my body more. During my redshirt sophomore year, I was starting again. In the third game, I got turf toe. I was also dealing with an ankle injury. I was not able to play at 100%. But I only missed one game. I battled through those injuries. During my junior year, I took care of my body more. Last year, I finally had a breakout season. We went 5-6 my sophomore and junior year. We had issues on the team. There was no leadership. Last year, we started doing more of the little things. Building and growing as a team. We created a great culture.
Alex Khvatov: What was the biggest reason behind your breakout junior campaign?
Changa Hodge: I tried to be patient. I wanted to produce. I am grateful to see all of the hard work pay off. I was able to finally produce on the field. I am hoping to do it again this season.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Changa Hodge: My knowledge of the game, running good routes and knowing coverage. I can make big plays. My speed is also an asset.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Changa Hodge: Probably getting in and out of breaks a little faster. I can also work on turning the small plays into bigger plays. I need to make more moves in space.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Changa Hodge: This past season, the team was better. The season I had getting over 1,000 yards. It was one of my goals.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Changa Hodge: I have learned about leadership from my coaches. I wasn’t the most mature person in terms of being on time at first. As time went on, I became a leader for the younger guys.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Changa Hodge: I am a Giants fan.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Changa Hodge: Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, Davante Adams, and Julio Jones.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Changa Hodge: LB Forrest Rhyne, CB Jaquan Amos, and DL Malik Fisher on defense. On offense, QB Dan Smith, RB Justin Covington who led the FCS in rushing yards before his season ending injury. Freshman WR Jaaron Hayek had nearly 700 yards. He could have hit 1,000 yards. Rayjoun Pringle is another WR who has ability.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Changa Hodge: The #6 corner from UNH (Prince Smith Jr.). He was physical and he had good hips.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a WR?
Changa Hodge: Confidence in yourself to make the play.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Changa Hodge: Probably the grind. I wouldn’t appreciate it as much if it wasn’t for the grind. Lifting, conditioning, and getting up early. I appreciate it more.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from Villanova this upcoming season?
Changa Hodge: We are a playoff team. We have a championship caliber team. We just have to work for it.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Changa Hodge: My maturity has taken me a long way.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Changa Hodge: Drawing sometimes. I am a big fashion guy. I like hanging out with family and friends.
Alex Khvatov: What is your definition of a leader?
Changa Hodge: Somebody who can relate to all. When the bad comes, some leaders can’t really relate. A good leader can relate to the good and the bad. You have to push people to be great. A leader also has to do his best and show the way.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Changa Hodge: I want to get into the fashion industry. The business side of fashion. I was a liberal arts major and also communication. I want to open up a clothing line or sell different brands in my own store.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Changa Hodge: Patient, leader, mature, confident, and honest.
