Former Mortimer Jordan quarterback Devlin Hodges (10) eluding the rush in a 2012 home win over Region 6 foe Springville. 

Devlin Hodges, a former Mortimer Jordan quarterback and older brother of most recent Blue Devils’ signal caller Duncan Hodges, enters his sophomore season of college with some lofty expectations.

The righty was recently named a second-team selection to the preseason All-Southern Conference Football Team. He is one of four offensive players from Samford to land all-conference honors by the league’s coaches.

On the first-team offense, Samford is represented by offensive lineman Armando Bonheur and wide receiver Karel Hamilton. On the second-team offense, Hodges is joined by fellow sophomore Kelvin McKnight, who serves as one of his favorite pass catchers.

Hodges took his final snap for Mortimer Jordan in the 2013 state playoffs against Muscle Shoals. Soon after, he signed his national letter of intent with Samford, where he wore a redshirt in 2014.

Despite playing in only nine games and starting the final five, Hodges finished last season with 2,230 passing yards to go with 12 scores. He placed first in Southern Conference pass efficiency (144.1) and second in passing yards per contest (247.8). That campaign landed the former Blue Devil Southern Conference All-Freshman Team honors.

He and the Bulldogs were picked third overall in the Southern Conference preseason coaches poll behind Chattanooga and The Citadel. The media ranked Samford fifth in the league.

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.