FORT WORTH, Tx. (BVM) — Junior linebacker Johnny Hodges has had a unique collegiate career compared to most athletes. Hodges began playing lacrosse at the United States Naval Academy but soon realized his love was with the game of football. 

Hodges grew up in Darnestown, Maryland, where he attended Quince Orchard High School and played lacrosse, football and basketball. Hodges was an impressive football player in high school, earning All-Met honors in 2019 as a senior. Hodges also helped lead Quince Orchard to the 2018 state championship that same year. 

However, his football career took a short pause after Hodges committed to the United States Naval Academy his sophomore year of high school. He focused solely on lacrosse for about a year before the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic caused nati0nwide shutdowns and Hodges was sent home. This is when Hodges made the final decision to follow his dreams and play football. 

“I just decided over quarantine that I wanted to play football again, you know, I really missed it so I called up the coach and would bug them every day until they gave me a shot,” Hodges said. 

Eventually, Hodges was successful and a few weeks later, he had earned himself a prominent role on the team. Hodges recorded 50 tackles in his junior year at Navy, coming in fourth on the team. Hodges only appeared in a total of five games out of the season before entering the transfer portal in December. 

A few short weeks later, Hodges received an offer from head coach Sonny Dykes to play at TCU and was given three weeks’ notice to relocate to Fort Worth, Texas for the upcoming semester. 

“It all happened really fast; I think from the time I first talked to coach Gillespie, I had to pack up and move 20 hours away in three weeks, things started to move really fast,” Hodges said. 

Hodges admits that moving across the country felt a little intimidating, However, the jitters eventually wore off as he was welcomed by his new teammates. 

“Everyone was really nice, and I was paired with two roommates, and I think I fit in really well and I love it here now, so it all worked out,” Hodges said. 

Hodges said he was extremely impressed by the facilities along with all the weight training staff in his first few weeks. 

“It was everything and more that I could have imagined, it definitely exceeded my expectations” Hodges said.

Hodges explained that he is settling in quite comfortably, adding that he has much more free time to focus on football and academics than he previously did at the Naval Academy. 

“I usually wake up at 4:45 in the morning to take my dog on a walk and then we have practice from 6:30 to 9 then I go to class from 11-4 and then do some homework after class then play video games with my roommates.” 

Hodges had nothing but good things to say about his new school. He discussed that he is enjoying playing football at TCU and admires the new coaching staff. 

“I’m having a ball being out there with everyone, and it is so positive being a student athlete here,” Hodges said. 

Throughout the first few weeks of spring ball at TCU, Hodges has been the talk of the town. Hodges has consistently practiced with the first-team defense at right outside linebacker and continues to make plays.

“In football you have to be ready for your chance to come to you and you never will be fully ready but when the chance comes you have to make the most of it. I think that’s what I have been doing,” Hodges explained. 

Hodges is excited for the upcoming season and what is to come in the next few months.

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