Hodges named preseason first-team All-American
Lindy’s College Football Preview has selected Penn State senior outside
linebacker Gerald Hodges a first-team preseason All-American.
Hodges was also a first-team preseason All-Big Ten choice by Lindy’s.
Junior Anthony Fera was selected the second-team All-Big Ten punter and
third-team placekicker by Lindy’s. Senior defensive tackle Jordan Hill and
tailback Silas Redd also were second-team all-conference picks. Senior wide
receiver Justin Brown and senior linebacker Michael Mauti were third-team
preseason All-Big Ten choices by Lindy’s.
Hodges burst onto the collegiate football scene last year, earning first-team
All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and ESPN.com. He led the team in 2011
with 106 tackles (60 solo), ranking in the top 15 in the Big Ten in hits (eighth)
and sacks (tied-14th with 4.5). Hodges also recorded 10.0 tackles for loss,
forced two fumbles, broke-up four passes and made one critical interception
and lengthy return in a win at Northwestern.
The former Paulsboro High School All-South Jersey standout was selected Big
Ten Defensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks in late October last
year, becoming the first Nittany Lion to earn back-to-back conference
accolades since linebacker Navorro Bowman in 2009. Hodges earned his
second straight honor after recording a career-high 19 tackles, with an
eight-yard sack and a fumble recovery, in the dramatic 10-7 win over Illinois.
