RT Brandon Hodges leaving University of Texas as a grad transfer

Submitted by Blue in Paradise on

From 12up (http://www.12up.com/posts/5164935-starting-longhorns-ol-announces-he-s-…)

Well, this one comes as a bit of a shocker. ​The Texas Longhorns are losing one of their starting offensive lineman from last season.

Senior Brandon Hodges announced that he will be leaving the program as a graduate transfer, and will be able to play immediately next season for his new team.

This announcement comes after Hodges missed much of spring practices due to academic difficulties. Hodges made the announcement Tuesday on Twitter.

Hodges played in 11 games for the Longhorns last season, and started nine of them. He was the  primary right tackle for Texas. 

After missing time in the spring though, Hodges fell behind two younger players, and was in danger of losing his starting spot. Tristan Nickelson and Denzel Okafor are the two favorites to take over at RT. 

Hodges had some academic problems in the spring, but was still able to graduate. Where he transfers is still up in the air, but he'll definitely be receiving plenty of phone calls in the coming days. 

The 6-5, 310-pound offensive lineman has one year of eligibility left, and can bring experience to any teams offensive line. Hodges is from Mississippi, so he could transfer to a school closer to home, or stay in the football rich state of Texas.

247 Profile

http://247sports.com/Player/Brandon-Hodges-58854?Institution=23611

 

Notes

  • I am only posting this because the starting RT from a P5 team is leaving via grad transfer
  • Hodges probably not a great fit at Michigan if he is having academic issues
  • That being said, Hodges could be a good litmus test on how the staff feels about our current RT prospects
    • If they kick the tires, they may well be feeling nervous about the current options
    • If not, might be an indication that they are comfortable with the guys already on the squad

 

Maul

June 21st, 2017 at 12:49 AM ^

...does not mean the staff is comfortable with the RT situation.  He might not get into a grad program.

Clearly they are not comfortable with RT's on the roster.  Otherwise they would not have recruited the oft-injured grad transfer from Miami (Sunny Odogwu).

bacon

June 21st, 2017 at 3:55 AM ^

Kicked off the team for academic troubles? I would think he's a better fit for MSU. But no jail time yet. I guess he's young, so he's still got time.

blueblueblue

June 21st, 2017 at 3:19 PM ^

I dont quite understand the logic - taking a "shaky" transfer doestn mean he replaces those kids, or anyone for that matter, on the field. In fact, by the competition he brings, he might serve to put one of those kids on the field in much better shape than they would otherwise be in.