Holy moley, some of our best players are leaving for the professional ranks! Whether it be money, fame, or an opportunity to live in Oakland, a few of the most memorable Ole Miss Rebel footballers are making their way out of Oxford to play ball on the next level. What would their potential money-stuffed suitors like to know about each and every one of them? We at the Cup know!
Shay Hodge
Wide Receiver
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 207
40: 4.55 or faster than Florida's 2008 secondary
Rebel Career Stats: Career leader in receiving yards with 2,646; Ranks second all-time at Ole Miss in receptions (173) and TD catches (22) and tied for second in 100-yard receiving games (6)
Pros
Aggressive to the ball; Ability to make difficult catches; Finds open space well; Quick off of the line; Athletic
Cons
Does not have the top end speed that some elite WR in the NFL have; Majored in journalism; Not a crisp route runner; Does not have exceptional jumping or leaping ability; Ability to change direction/drop hips in route
The Skinny
Shay made some really big plays and had a massive impact on the football program last year. His long touchdown reception in the Swamp will be remembered for many years to come. He was as prolific a player as Ole Miss has had in the history of the program. NFL scouts are rating Hodge around 25th best in this class of more than 100 receivers. He is good but not great. He does not have the several attributes like speed, size and jumping ability to make him a first or second round player. Scouts most likely see him as a possession receiver on the next level and most likely a project who will have to improve route running to be effective.
Who Should Take Him, and When?
Here's a few teams who I think will need to take a WR in the draft: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams. These are places where departures have left the receiving corps without great depth and could use a player like Hodge. Shay will most likely be playing the waiting game through the first three rounds of the draft. I would be surprised if he was chosen in the first 100 picks, and it could be the sixth round before he goes.