Cooper Hodges Explained

Cooper Hodges
Current Team:Jacksonville Jaguars
Number:75
Position:Offensive tackle
Birth Date:13 July 2000
Birth Place:Glen St. Mary, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:4
Weight Lbs:305
College:Appalachian State
Draftyear:2023
Draftround:7
Draftpick:226
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
  • 2× First-team All-Sun Belt (2021, 2022)
Statseason:2023
Pfr:HodgCo00

Cooper Hodges (born July 13, 2000) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Appalachian State and was selected in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL draft by the Jaguars.

Early years

Hodges was born on July 13, 2000, and grew up in Glen St. Mary, Florida.[1] He attended Baker County High School, being a Super 24 pick and helping the team reach the state championship match in his senior season.[2] A two-star recruit, Hodges committed to play college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers.[1]

College career

As a true freshman at Appalachian State in 2018, Hodges redshirted and saw no action due to an injury.[3] The following season, he became their starting right tackle and was named second-team all-conference after starting all 14 games.[3] [4] [5] In 2020, Hodges started all 11 games and was named second-team all-conference for the second consecutive year.[6]

Hodges continued as a starter in 2021 and was named first-team All-Sun Belt Conference.[7] As a senior in 2022, he appeared in 12 games and earned third-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus, additionally being an All-Sun Belt choice for the fourth-straight season.[8] He finished his stint at Appalachian State with 51 consecutive starts, over 3,500 snaps played and only seven sacks allowed.[1]

Professional career

Hodges was selected in the seventh round (226th overall) of the 2023 NFL draft by his hometown Jacksonville Jaguars, who originally acquired the pick in a trade with the Carolina Panthers in exchange for Laviska Shenault.[9] Although a right tackle at Appalachian State, he was announced as a guard when selected.[5] He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2023.[10]

External links

Notes and References

  1. NFL Draft Profile: Cooper Hodges, Offensive Lineman, Appalachian State Mountaineers. Sports Illustrated. January 13, 2023.
  2. Web site: Seventh round: Jaguars draft Baker County grad Cooper Hodges, 2 others to close draft. News4Jax.com. WJXT. Barney, Justin. April 29, 2023.
  3. News: Cooper Hodges and Nick Hampton are making an impact for App State this season. Their path to this point wasn't straight.. Winston-Salem Journal. October 2, 2019. Joyce, Ethan. subscription.
  4. Web site: Cooper Hodges. Appalachian State Mountaineers.
  5. 2023 NFL Draft: Jaguars Select OL Cooper Hodges, DL Raymond Vahasek in 7th. Sports Illustrated. Shipley, John. April 29, 2023.
  6. News: Charting Northeast Florida football players in FBS in 2020-21. The Florida Times-Union. January 19, 2021. subscription.
  7. Web site: App State's Cooper Hodges Drafted By Jacksonville. 247Sports. April 29, 2023.
  8. News: Jaguars draft Appalachian State G Cooper Hodges with No. 226 pick. USA Today. Stites, Adam. April 29, 2023.
  9. News: Lifelong Jaguars fan Cooper Hodges happy to be drafted by 'dream team'. USA Today. Stites, Adam. April 30, 2023.
  10. Web site: Roster Moves: Jaguars Add Two to Active Roster and Four to Practice Squad. Jaguars.com. August 31, 2023.