Cooper Hodges Bio
Cooper Hodges is an American professional football guard who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on July 13, 2000, in Glen St. Mary, Florida, Hodges attended Baker County High School before playing college football at Appalachian State University. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 226th overall pick. As a professional, Hodges has contributed to the Jaguars offensive line depth while working to establish himself at the guard position after transitioning from his college role as a right tackle.
Early Life and Background
Cooper Hodges grew up in Glen St. Mary, Florida, where he attended Baker County High School. During his senior season, Hodges earned recognition as a Super 24 selection and helped lead his high school team to the state championship match. His performance as a two-star recruit caught the attention of several college programs, ultimately leading him to commit to play college football for the Appalachian State Mountaineers.
At Baker County High School, Hodges developed the foundational skills that would prepare him for the next level of competition. His size and athleticism made him a standout offensive lineman, providing him with the tools necessary to compete in the Sun Belt Conference and eventually the NFL.
Path to American Football
Hodges began his collegiate career at Appalachian State University in 2018. As a true freshman, he redshirted due to an injury and did not see game action that season. The following year marked his emergence as a starter, as he took over the right tackle position and earned second-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors after starting all 14 games. This early success established him as a cornerstone of the Mountaineers offensive line.
His consistency continued throughout his career, starting all 11 games in 2020 and earning second-team all-conference honors for the second consecutive season. The 2021 season saw Hodges elevate his play to first-team All-Sun Belt Conference status. By his senior year in 2022, he had become one of the most decorated offensive linemen in the conference, earning third-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus while continuing his All-Sun Belt selections for the fourth straight year.
Cooper Hodges Career
College Career (2018-2022)
During his five seasons at Appalachian State, Hodges developed into one of the most reliable offensive linemen in the Group of Five conferences. He finished his collegiate career with 51 consecutive starts, demonstrating exceptional durability and consistency. Over his career, he logged over 3,500 offensive snaps while allowing only seven sacks, showcasing his effectiveness at protecting the quarterback. His transition from right tackle in college to guard in the NFL represented a positional adjustment that the Jaguars envisioned during the draft process.
His four-year streak of all-conference honors reflected his sustained excellence against some of the top competition in the Sun Belt Conference. The experience gained facing quality pass rushers in the conference prepared him for the challenges of professional football.
Jacksonville Jaguars Era (2023-Present)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Cooper Hodges in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft with the 226th overall pick. Although he played right tackle during his college career at Appalachian State, the Jaguars announced him as a guard upon selection. The Jaguars had originally acquired this draft pick through a trade with the Carolina Panthers, sending wide receiver Laviska Shenault in exchange for the selection.
Hodges began his rookie season with the Jaguars but faced an early setback when he was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2023. This injury limited his ability to contribute during his inaugural professional season. Following the 2023 season, Hodges continued working toward full health and sought to earn a more significant role within the Jaguars organization.
Throughout his time with the Jaguars, Hodges has worked to adapt to the guard position while developing his technique against NFL-level interior defensive linemen. His professional career has included appearances in nine games with one start, representing limited but valuable NFL experience.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an offensive lineman, Hodges brings size and length to the guard position, standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 305 pounds. His experience at tackle provided him with agility and footwork skills that translate well to interior line play. His durability at Appalachian State, completing over 3,500 snaps with only seven sacks allowed, demonstrates his ability to hold up against aggressive pass rushers. His four consecutive All-Conference selections speak to his consistency and technical refinement developed over his collegiate career.
Notable Events and Milestones
The most significant milestone in Hodges career thus far came on draft day in 2023 when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected him in the seventh round. Being drafted by his hometown team added meaning to the selection, as he grew up in nearby Glen St. Mary. His successful transition from tackle to guard represented an important adjustment in his professional development. The injuries sustained early in his career have been notable obstacles, but his college track record of 51 consecutive starts provides optimism for his long-term durability.
Cooper Hodges Career Achievements
Throughout his football career, Hodges has accumulated multiple all-conference honors and earned recognition as one of the top offensive linemen in the Sun Belt Conference during his college years.
Appalachian State Highlights
During his four seasons as a starter at Appalachian State, Hodges earned first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors in 2021 and 2022, the highest recognition in his conference career. He was named second-team All-Sun Belt in 2019 and 2020, demonstrating his consistency from his first year as a starter. His senior year also brought third-team All-America honors from Pro Football Focus, a notable achievement that highlighted his play against top competition nationally. His 51 consecutive starts and over 3,500 snaps played with minimal sacks allowed remain his most impressive statistical achievements.
Other Honors and Recognition
Prior to college, Hodges earned Super 24 recognition at Baker County High School, establishing his status as a high-level prep prospect in Florida. His selection as a two-star recruit out of high school belied his eventual development into an All-American caliber player at the collegiate level.
Cooper Hodges Family
Family Background
Limited verified information is available regarding Cooper Hodges family background. He grew up in Glen St. Mary, Florida, where he attended Baker County High School. No information regarding parents, siblings, or family members involvement in athletics has been publicly confirmed.
Personal Life
No verified personal life information is publicly available for Cooper Hodges. His focus has remained primarily on his football career since being drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Any details regarding relationships, family, or personal interests beyond football have not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season brought significant changes for Cooper Hodges with the Jacksonville Jaguars organization. On June 4, 2025, the Jaguars waived Hodges following a failed physical, indicating that injuries had affected his ability to perform at the professional level. The following day, he reverted to the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, suggesting the organization wanted to retain him while he continued his recovery process.
This sequence of roster moves reflected the challenges Hodges faced in maintaining a consistent presence on the active roster since being drafted. His limited NFL experience, appearing in only nine games with one start across his first two seasons, highlighted the difficulty of establishing himself as a reliable interior offensive lineman in the league.
The 2025 season represented a pivotal point in Hodges professional career as he worked to overcome physical setbacks and demonstrate his ability to contribute at the NFL level. The Jaguars decision to keep him in the organization initially indicated some level of faith in his potential, though his future with the team remained uncertain as he worked through his recovery.