Tag: Preston Hodge

WATCH: Preston Hodge snags interception against CSU

Preston Hodge owns Colorado’s first interception of 2024

Preston Hodge was one of the many impact transfers the Colorado Buffaloes added to their secondary this offseason, and he made a huge play against the Colorado State Rams on Saturday.

CU started the second half up 14-3 and got the ball to open the second half. After the Buffs gained some yardage, they were forced to punt around midfield, and Mark Vassett pinned the Rams deep in their own territory. CSU started its drive at the 3-yard line and got no yardage on first down.

The Buffs then applied pressure on second down, forcing Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi out of the pocket. BFN would then launch an ill-advised pass into Hodge’s waiting arms.

The interception marked Colorado’s first of the season.

Hodge joined CU after playing his first two college football seasons with the Liberty Flames.

https://twitter.com/CUBuffsFootball/status/1835133967848423794

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New Colorado cornerbacks Preston Hodge, DJ McKinney set high expectations for 2024

Colorado’s newest cornerbacks want the Buffs to have the best secondary in college football

The Colorado Buffaloes added two talented transfer cornerbacks this offseason: sophomore DJ McKinney from Oklahoma State and senior Preston Hodge out of Liberty. Both are in line for a starting job alongside Travis Hunter, and both believe the Buffs can have college football’s best secondary.

Colorado appears set in its secondary with Hunter, Hodge and McKinney joined by returning safeties Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig. That depth chart looks pretty formidable, at least on paper, as CU could have its best defensive backfield since the loaded 2016 group that helped the Buffs win the Pac-12 South.

McKinney and Hodge met with the media on Wednesday and both shared their expectation for Colorado to have “the best secondary in the nation.” Their responses were applauded by Sanders and Silmon-Craig, who were watching the media scrum.

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Colorado’s secondary meshing well together early in fall camp

The chemistry within Colorado’s defensive secondary is apparent

For those worried that Colorado football’s roster turnover might make things difficult for players to get on the same page, Wednesday’s media scrum with the Buffs’ defensive backs should dispel those fears.

Incoming transfer defensive backs DJ McKinney and Preston Hodge were at the podium answering questions about fall camp when two veteran safeties decided it was time for a curveball. Shilo Sanders and Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig did their best reporter impersonations and started firing questions at their new teammates.

Despite some chuckles, McKinney and Hodge were able to keep their composure. Hodge answered a question from Sanders about how it feels having No. 21 playing over the top:

“It feels great, man,” Hodge said. “I can trust that inside route is going to be covered.”

This light-hearted exchange shows that Colorado’s DBs are meshing well together early in preseason camp.

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PFF names Preston Hodge the highest-graded returning Big 12 cornerback

Pro Football Focus is a fan of Preston Hodge

We already know that Colorado’s offseason transfer portal haul was quite impressive, but if Pro Football Focus grades are worth valuing highly, the Buffs are in for a big season. PFF College released a list of the highest-graded returning cornerbacks in the Big 12, and Colorado newcomer Preston Hodge topped the pack.

Hodge had an incredible junior season for the Liberty Flames in 2023, deflecting away eight passes while snagging two interceptions. Those stats helped him achieve a 90.0 grade from PFF. That score topped other Big 12 stars such as Wester Virginia’s Ayden Garnes, Arizona’s Tacario Davis and Kansas’ duo of Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant.

Hodge appears in line for a starting spot on the outside and will likely team up with Travis Hunter and DJ McKinney to give CU a dynamic nickel package. Fans should be excited about what this trio of corners can bring.

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Liberty Transfer CB set to visit Texas A&M this weekend

It has been reported that former Liberty CB Preston Hodge will visit Texas A&M this weekend.

Texas A&M and new head coach Mike Elko will host several players from the transfer portal this weekend, including three players from Oregon State (cornerback Jermod McCoy, safety Akili Arnold, and linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold), and now, former Liberty cornerback Preston Hodge will reportedly join for an official campus visit. The news was first reported by AggiesToday, and confirmed by Rivals’ Adam Gorney.

Focusing on building depth in the secondary, Elko has already secured a commitment from former Kansas State CB Will Lee Jr., who is essentially a plug-and-play cornerback heading into the 2024 season.

Needing more starting-caliber production to pair with Lee, Hodge, a Texas native, produced 48 tackles and two interceptions during his 2023 sophomore season, and stands at 5’11” and nearly 200 pounds.

While some still helmet scout, production is production, and the last thing the Aggies need is more inexperience and lack of size at one of the more vital positions on the field. Elko and his staff must secure commitments from at least two or three more defensive packs to feel safe heading into spring.

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