[Sly Fox]

Hey, we're up against Big XII schools with a legitimate shot at this kid:


Spencer Hodges
Offensive Lineman
Bradenton (FL) Manatee HS
6' 6" 285 lbs 5.1 in 40

Rival Profile - 2-Stars

From a SW Florida fishwrap:

Jensen/Hodges make joint visit to Liberty U.

Manatee High linebacker Austin Jensen and offensive lineman Spencer Hodges visited I-AA Liberty University last weekend, the school founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell.

Though he has been offered an athletic scholarship by Kansas and Texas Tech, Hodges is considering Liberty because he is learning towards entering the ministry. He visited Texas Tech and has a trip planned for Kansas on Jan. 5. Western Kentucky, which will be a transitional I-A football program next year, has offered Jensen a scholarship.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs. ... 006/SPORTS

Manatee loses senior lineman
Captain Spencer Hodges will miss rest of season after injuring knee against Dunedin

JOHN LEMBO
Herald Staff Writer

Manatee is moving on.

Much to the Hurricanes' chagrin, they'll be playing without one of their captains.

Senior offensive lineman Spencer Hodges injured his left knee during Friday night's Class 5A-Region 3 semifinal win over Dunedin, spraining his MCL and tearing some cartilage.

Surgery may not be required, but coach Joe Kinnan said Saturday that Hodges is done for the year.

"He's one of our captains," Kinnan said. "He's a key lineman and one of our leaders."

Hodges suffered the injury during the first offensive series of Manatee's 31-6 win over Dunedin. He was in obvious pain, banging his head on the grass while medical personnel tended to him. As he was carted off, Hodges gave a thumbs up to his teammates.

Hodges' injury was revealed after he underwent an MRI on Saturday. He has offers from Division I schools Kansas and Akron, and while his high school career is over, his college career is not.

"This isn't something that will prevent him from playing at the next level," Kinnan said.

http://www.kansas.com/mld/bradenton/16049737.htm


From back in August:

Manatee's Hodges gets early look at his college recruiting

John Lembo
West Preps

Spencer Hodges learned plenty on the football field last season, his first as a varsity starter. He learned how to conduct himself off the field, too.

Hodges, a senior lineman at Manatee, became best friends with Jeremy Michel and Jeff Ide, two since-graduated offensive linemen who took their games to Division I schools, with Michel signing with Baylor University and Ide going to the University of South Florida.

Now that Hodges is on a number of Division I radars, he's putting some of that knowledge to use.

"I went to their visits, kind of saw how they did it," Hodges said. "I went (with Ide) to a lot of USF visits, and I went to Baylor and helped Jeremy move in, so we took a nice 27-hour road trip together. I've learned a lot through him - 'Yes sir, no sir.' A lot of good stuff - basically, what my parents taught me."

Hodges has already fielded an offer from Akron, but Louisville, Texas Tech and Baylor have expressed interest. Baylor has piqued Hodges' interest, though he's not ruling anyone out yet, including the Bulls.

"I really like Baylor, because Jeremy's there and it's a Christian school, which really appeals to me," Hodges said. "That's the biggest thing for me, a Christian coach and that kind of atmosphere . . . (and) USF, because Jeff's there and it's kind of by home."

http://www.dfw.com/mld/bradenton/sports ... 336640.htm

[jcmanson]

That would be awesome. These are the type of kids we need to be at the level in all programs where we get them. Kids that are Christians, and are legitimate D-1 athletes.

[PAmedic]

already 6'6" and 285

reminds me of TheSportsCritic

[bigsmooth]

i agree JC....we need these types of players.

[PAmedic]

this kid's got 5 lbs on Vince Redd, BTW

[thesportscritic]

already 6'6" and 285

reminds me of TheSportsCritic

nice observation Medic. well you are 2 feet shorter

[4everfsu]

Manatee High is usually a power house in Fl football, Tommie Frazer who was the QB at Nebraska came from Manatee

[Sly Fox]

Its not looking promising for landing Spencer. He's visiting Kansas this weekend and Florida Atlantic in two weeks. He doesn't actually hold offers from Texas Tech or South Florida quite yet. If they do, he's likely to commit.

[Sly Fox]

Surprise! He commits to us.

[jcmanson]

Great! Nice pickup! Could this be the start of us getting some more high profile athletes to come here?!

[Fireman]

Hodges was named to Florida All-State, Offensive First Team. That First Team is loaded with talent going to top D1 programs. I hope he helps the Flames in the future.

[Sly Fox]

We're counting on it. Hopefully we have the luxury of redshirting him so he'll be ready to start for us for four years. At least that's my hope.

[Fireman]

All-state

The west part of the county dotted the all-state football teams, which were announced last week. First-team picks included Manatee's Spencer Hodges (offensive lineman), Austin Jensen (linebacker) and Robert Harrell (defensive lineman), all of which were on the Class 5A squad, and Palmetto's Joe Hills (wide receiver), a first-team selection on Class 3A.

Fellow Hurricane Debitson Nicolas (defensive back) was a second-team selection, as was Bayshore's Latravis Washington (defensive back), who made the Class 4A team.

Southeast's Henry Sailes (running back), Todd Speight (wide receiver) and Jared Hamilton (offensive lineman) all made the Class 4A third team.

John Lembo, sports writer, can be reached at 745-7080, ext. 2097 or jlembo@bradenton.com.

Hope for DE Mike Connelly still high....(from Sarasota's Cardinal Mooney...Florida State Runner-up in 2A)

[Sly Fox]

His letter arrived this morning.

[Cider Jim]

His letter arrived this morning.

Sly, are you working in the mail room?

[Sly Fox]

These guys from Florida are bigtime gets for us.

[PAmedic]

I gotta be honest- I'm amazed.

I know WE are pumped on this team, but remember we're one season out from 1-10 and no D I wins.

truly unbelievable whats going on...