Abdul Hodge

Abdul Raheeda Hodge (born September 9, 1983) is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Iowa.

Early years
When he was young, Hodge lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and attended Boyd Anderson High School (the same school as college teammate offensive lineman David Walker) where he won four letters in football, two in track, and one in basketball. In football, he was a three year starter, a three time team captain.

As a junior, he was a first team All-County honoree and a third team All-State.

As a senior, Hodge played linebacker for a 9-3 team that reached the state semi-finals. he was selected as an All-American by SuperPrep, First-team All-State and All-Conference. He was also named Broward County MVP on defense. Team had a 22-10 record during his last three years

In his career, Hodge recorded a total of 308 career tackles, 22 sacks and six interceptions. He also had eight fumble recoveries and fumbles turned for touchdowns. He had over 100 tackles in each of his final three prep seasons. Hodge's best time of 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

College career
Hodge attended the University of Iowa, where he majored in communication studies and was a member of the National Honor Society. He was also one of five seniors selected to the 2005 Leadership Council.

As a freshman in 2001, Hodge red-shirted for the season.

In 2002, Hodge played in all 13 games. He recorded three solo tackles and three assists in opening week win over Akron. He played on special teams against Iowa State but had no statistics. He had two solo tackles and two assists in win over Utah State. Hodge had one assists in win at Penn State. He had six solo tackles and two assists in win over Purdue. Hodge recorded one solo tackle in win over Michigan State. He recorded two solo tackles in win at Indiana. Hodge recorded five solo tackles in win at Michigan. He saw action in win over Wisconsin, primarily on special teams, but had no statistics. Hodge had five solo tackles in win over Northwestern, including one quarterback sack and a quarterback pressure. He saw action in win at Minnesota, however had no statistics. Hodge recorded four solo tackles and two assists against USC in Orange Bowl.

In 2003, Hodge started all 13 games of the season at middle linebacker. He recorded five solo tackles and two assists in opening week win over Miami, OH, including one tackle for loss. He recorded five solo tackles in win over Buffalo, including one quarterback sack. Hodge recorded 10 solo tackles and five assists in win at Iowa State, he also had three tackles for loss and one quarterback sack and caused a fumble. Hodge recorded eight solo tackles and seven assists in win over Arizona State. He recorded six solo tackles, one assist and one tackle for loss at Michigan State. Hodge then recorded three solo tackles and 10 assists in win over Michigan. He recorded eight solo tackles and eight assists for career high 16 tackles at Ohio State, he also had two tackles for loss and a pass break-up. Hodge recorded five solo tackles in win over Penn State, he also had a 47-yard fumble return and had one pass break-up. He recorded seven solo tackles and two assists in win over Illinois and had a fumble recovery for the second straight game. Hodge recorded seven solo tackles and four assists at Purdue, including one tackle for a loss of four yards. He recorded nine solo tackles, seven assists and one pass break-up in win over Minnesota. Hodge recorded seven solo tackles and seven assists in win at Wisconsin. He recorded four solo tackles and four assists in Outback Bowl win over Florida.

In 2004, Hodge started all 12 games at linebacker. His season totals included 116 tackles, including 79 solo and 37 assists, he also had 4.5 tackles for loss and three QB sacks, four pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble.

In the opening week win over Kent State, Hodge recorded two solo tackles and a forced fumble. In the win over Iowa State, Hodge led team with 12 total tackles, including eight solo. At Arizona State Hodge recorded seven solo tackles to reach 200 for his career. At Michigan he recorded 10 tackles, including seven solo and three assists, along with one recovered fumble. In win over Michigan State, Hodge recorded 12 tackles, including six solo and six assists, along with one pass break-up. In win over Ohio State, he led the team with 12 tackles, including nine solo, and added one tackle for loss and one pass break-up. In win at Penn State, Hodge recorded seven solo tackles and four assists, and with one pass break-up. In the win at Illinois, Hodge recorded three solo tackles, six assists and one pass break-up. In the win over Purdue, he recorded six solo tackles, one assist and one quarterback pressure. In win at Minnesota, Hodge recorded eight tackles, including seven solo, he also had one tackle for loss and recovered one fumble, his second of the season. In the win over Wisconsin to clinch a share of the Big Ten title, Hodge led the team with 11 tackles, including seven solo. Hodge set a Capital One Bowl record in 2005 with 16 tackles against LSU.

In 2005, Hodge was named to several pre-season awards watchlists, including: the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, the Lott Trophy watch list, the Dick Butkus Award watch list, the Bednarik Award watch list. He was also named first team defensive All-America by Phil Steele's College Football Preview, second team All-America by Athlon Sports, second team All-America by Rivals.com, third team All-America by Nationalchamps.net, No. 4 inside linebacker by The Sporting News, first team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports, first team All-Big Ten by collegefootballnews.com, first team All-Big Ten by Rivals.com, sixth best player in Big Ten by collegefootballnews.com, and third team All-America by collegesportsreport.com.

For 2005, Hodge was listed as first the team linebacker following spring practice. Hodge started at linebacker in opening week win over Ball State. He recorded two tackles while seeing limited action. Hodge, started at linebacker at Iowa State. He tied for team lead at ISU with 13 tackles, including 12 solo and one tackle for loss. Hodge started at linebacker in win over Northern Iowa Panthers, recording 16 tackles, including seven solo, and one recovered fumble. At Ohio State, Hodge recorded four solo tackles, five assists and a forced fumble. In the win over Illinois he recorded a career-best 18 tackles, including 11 solo, to earn Big Ten Defensive Player of the week honors. He also had three tackles for loss and a forced fumble. At Purdue he recorded two solo tackles and two assists, with one tackle for loss. Against Indiana he recorded 11 solo tackles and seven assists, with one tackle for loss. Against Michigan, Hodge recorded 20 tackles, including 14 solo, one tackle for loss and a forced fumble. At Northwestern Hodge led team with 12 tackles, including six solo, one tackle for loss and one QB pressure. At Wisconsin, Hodge recorded three solo tackles and five assists, including two tackles for loss. Against Minnesota Hodge recorded 13 solo tackles and six assists. Against Florida in the 2006 Outback Bowl, Hodge set an Iowa bowl record and Outback Bowl record with 19 tackles, including 14 solo, he also had one tackle for loss.

Hodges 158 total tackles in 2005 ranks second best at Iowa for a single season.

While at Iowa, he led the Big Ten and ranked third in the nation in tackles per game, ranked third in the nation in solo tackles per game, tied for fifth in the Big Ten in forced fumbles, and tied for ninth in recovered fumbles. Hodege ranks third in career tackles with 453.

Green Bay Packers
Hodge was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 3rd round (67th overall) of the 2006 NFL Draft. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a fumble recovery during his first career start against the Seattle Seahawks on November 27, 2006.

In 2007, Hodge was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. Hodge changed his number from 55 to his old college number of 52. He underwent surgery on both knees in an attempt to return to the club in 2008.

Hodge was cut by the Packers on August 30, 2008 during final cuts.

Cincinnati Bengals
Hodge was signed to the practice squad of the Cincinnati Bengals on September 16, 2008. On October 3, he was promoted to the active roster after the team waived cornerback Simeon Castille. Hodge appeared in six games for the Bengals, recording three tackles, before being placed on injured reserve with an arm injury on November 17.

Personal
Hodge and his wife Chabli (high-school sweethearts) have a daughter named Amari Hodge, and a newborn Son Abdul Hodge JR (2009). His younger brother, Elijah Hodge, plays linebacker for the University of Northern Iowa.