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4 freakishly athletic Cleveland Browns players you might not know about

By Elliot Kennel

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide Receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns watches the play against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images).
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 16: Wide Receiver KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns watches the play against the New York Jets in the first half at MetLife Stadium on September 16, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images). /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after making a tackle on a kickoff during the fourth quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 22: KhaDarel Hodge #12 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after making a tackle on a kickoff during the fourth quarter of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Baltimore defeated Cleveland 31-15. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

KhaDarel Hodge is even faster

KhaDarel Hodge ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, while also posting a 38.5-inch vertical jump, and 15 reps of 225 pounds with the bench press. There are not that many athletes that can run in the 4.3’s. Hodge was a late pickup by John Dorsey and immediately made contributions as the gunner on special teams, and was immediately welcomed by Browns fans.

In fact, Hodge was one of the gunners on the coverage teams, and led the team in special teams tackles with 12 according to Teamrankings.com. Other sources say he had 13 special teams tackles, so let’s just say he was great on special teams. He took 261 special teams snaps, third on the team behind Tavierre Thomas, who may not make the roster this year, and Adarius Taylor, who is already gone.

Hodge has a significant edge over fellow speedsters  Ratley, Montgomery, and Peoples-Jones because of his excellent play on special teams. Special teams coach Mike Priefer may weigh in on Hodge’s behalf when it is time to cut down the roster.

Hodge was a superstar at Mendenhall High in Mississippi, but oddly enough, not as a wide receiver. He played quarterback and was basically a high school version of Lamar Jackson. In three years and 28 games, he completed over 60 percent of his passes for 3808 yards, and contributed 2642 rushing yards, averaging 9.0 yards per carry.

Playing quarterback may have set back his athletic progress.  Hodge began his career as a quarterback at Alcorn State but did not make it there.  So, he then went to Hinds Community College to learn how to become a wide receiver, and then was a JUCO transfer to Prairie View A&M where he caught 104 passes for 1,797 yards and 21 touchdowns in three seasons.

As a senior, Hodge had 48 grabs for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was named first-team All-SouthWest Athletic Conference and was Black College All-America. So, he succeeded brilliantly but the small university bug may have held him back.

Hodge was used as the number three wide receiver last year by the end of the season. In very limited action, he showed he could run after catch and was tough to bring down. However, he also failed to come down with a few catchable balls.

Like Montgomery, he has had time with the team and should be better able to get a grasp of the playbook this year even if Alex Van Pelt brings changes from Todd Monken’s playbook.

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