Mississippi State Football: Bulldogs need to push for Brandon Hodges

Mississippi State enters the 2017 college football season with high hopes behind Nick Fitzgerald. Landing former Texas offensive lineman Brandon Hodges will help the Bulldogs reach their goals.

Earlier this week, former Texas offensive tackle Brandon Hodges announced that he will graduate and move on from Austin. The 6-foot-5 tackle started nine games for the Longhorns in Charlie Strong’s final year on the 40 Acres.

Hodges missed much of spring practices for the Longhorns due to reported academic troubles. Nonetheless, Hodges made the grades necessary to graduate and is now looking for his next opportunity.

Hodges made his decision known on his Twitter page. He instantly becomes a hot commodity in the offensive line market.

Mississippi State needs to jump at this.

The Bulldogs return guard Elgton Jenkins and left tackle Martinas Rankin, but an influx of talent wouldn’t hurt protecting Nick Fitzgerald and opening holes for Aeris Williams. Jenkins developed into a monster run blocking guard over the course of the season. Jenkins used his 6-foot-4,308 pound frame to plow through defensive lineman and open up running lanes for both Fitz and Williams. Number 74 became a force in the trenches for the Bulldogs.

Martinas Rankin, meanwhile, had quite the season himself. Rankin grew into a stud left tackle for the Bulldogs and showed why he was rated so high coming out of MGCC. After redshirting his first season in Starkville, Rankin has developed into the offensive tackle Mississippi State has been missing since the Derek Sherrod days. Rankin took some snaps at center during the spring. That is another area where he can excel at. In fact, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper has Rankin as the best center prospect in next April’s draft.

Rankin’s draft stock has soared over the offseason. From left tackle to center, the Mississippi State lineman has been projected to hear his name called quickly next spring.

Related Story: Could Rankin go 1st-Round?

If Mississippi State wants to make a push in the SEC West, the Bulldogs need to add a quality offensive lineman to Jenkins and Rankin. Hodges gives Mississippi State an option at either tackle spot. He has the size (6-foot-5, 310) to protect Fitz’s blindside and the experience at right tackle. Sure, Texas has struggled as of late, but starting nine games for the University of Texas at the right tackle position is no joke.

With Rankin practicing at center during the spring, this move makes even more sense. What better way to make the transition than bringing in an experienced and quality tackle to take over Rankin’s old spot? Hodges would give the offense a veteran and reliable offensive lineman who has played against big opponents and would only boost Mississippi State’s line.

Next: Scouting Charleston Southern

It is also worth nothing that Hodges is a Mississippi boy. Before his career at Texas, Hodges played two seasons at EMCC — or Last Chance U. The Aberdeen native didn’t qualify out of high school, but took full advantage of his opportunity in Scooba. Could he make the return back to the Magnolia State?

Brandon Hodges is the ideal fit to help make Mississippi State a threat in the SEC.