Many recruits choose to decommit because they just aren’t entirely comfortable. But when Paulsboro (N.J.) High School’s Gerald Hodges decided to decommit from Rutgers in favor of Joe Paterno’s Nittany Lions, the opposite rang true. He was too comfortable.
“I think I just got too comfortable too early,” said the Scout.com four-star weakside linebacker, who could play safety. “I really loved Rutgers, especially Coach (Greg) Schiano. We got really close, like a father-son relationship. We got to talking all the time about a lot of stuff. We were reading the Good Book together. It was great. I was happy. But then I started thinking, what if he (Schiano) leaves? It happens all the time.
“I think God sent me sign or something,” Hodges said. “I needed to base my decision on more than one coach. I needed to look at what else a school could offer me like academics and all of that. I wasn’t focused on the big picture.”
Hodges claims that Penn State was always a consideration for him. It wasn’t just their excellent season. “PSU was always in my sights,” said the New Jersey standout. “My dad said from the beginning that if I got an offer from Penn State, that would be it. He was for Penn State all the way.
“I’d been talking to Coach Joe Paterno and liked what he was saying,” Hodges said. I know he’s not going anywhere. Coach P isn’t ever leaving Penn State. I took my visit up there in December and was really impressed with everything. The coaches, the players, the academics, it all just seemed to be what I was looking for…the bigger picture.”
In making his decision, Hodges said it was the opportunities off rather than on the field that affected him the most.
“As for playing time and all that, they both were pretty much the same,” he said. “I didn’t choose Penn State because they told me I could start as a freshman or anything like that. They both are great programs with great coaches, but I just felt that Penn State was a better fit in the long run for me.
“Coach Paterno is a legend and the tradition, you can feel it right when you step on the campus, it surrounds you. I just knew the Lord was telling me that I needed to be at PSU.”
At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, Hodges has wasted no time in starting his college career at Happy Valley. “I’m already in the swing on things here. I chose to enroll early,” Hodges said. “It feels really good. The first two weeks were a little tough, being away from home, but I got past that and I really can’t wait to start the season.”
Reflecting on his recruiting experience, Hodges said he wouldn’t change a thing. “I have no regrets. The Lord had that all happen for a reason and I met some great people along the way. My advice to anyone starting the whole recruiting thing is to just take your time and don’t rush any decisions. There is a lot of time to make up your mind.”