“I like the fact that Harvard puts academics first,” Hodges said. “It gave me a chance to see that there is more to life than football.”

For people from his hometown, it might not be too surprising that Hodges ended up at Harvard.

“Everyone back home knew me [as] more of a student than [a] football player,” Hodges said.

But first, after graduating from high school in 2010, Hodges spent the past year at the Philips Exeter Academy, where he took a postgraduate year, which proved to be a valuable time for personal and physical maturity.

“It was a great decision [to take a post graduate year],” Murphy said. “It was a smart decision ... he even looks back now and says it was time well spent.”

Now, three years after the recruitment began, Harvard football coach Tim Murphy is reaping the benefits of snagging Hodges.

“[Hodges] came in as a freshman this year and did not act like a freshman,” Murphy said. “He ticked off a lot of the upperclassmen during preseason, and that’s a good thing ... it means that he is flying around and playing with intensity.”

Hodges spent this summer training with his Crimson teammates, which entailed 5 a.m. wake-ups and intense physical preparation. He understands that as a freshman on the starting lineup—a rarity for Harvard football—he must work exceptionally hard to prove his worth.

“I am one of the younger guys that is getting play time, so I just want to make sure that I give my teammates everything I can give them,” Hodges said.

Hodges is not just getting playing time; he has excelled on the field and is quickly a mainstay of the defensive line.

But after overcoming immense amounts of personal adversity, Hodges understands the profound opportunity of playing football for Harvard and will not take it lightly.

“He does not take anything for granted here at Harvard,” Murphy said. He appreciates the opportunity he has ... This is a kid that is going to make the most of his opportunity.”