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Senior Spotlight: Wide Receiver Jonathan Hodoh

Senior Spotlight: Wide Receiver Jonathan Hodoh

Football Sep 26
By Paul Letlow, ULMWarhawks.com Online Columnist

Editor's Note: This Senior Spotlight is republished from the Sept. 26 digital game program (vs. UTEP).

Digital Game Program (vs. UTEP)

For wide receiver Jonathan Hodoh, going deep isn't just a route run on the football field.

During an anxious offseason that saw social justice issues rise to the forefront nationwide, it was Hodoh who helped lead the way for those discussions to take place locally within the ULM football program.

Hodoh, along with other senior leaders on the 2020 team, met with head coach Matt Viator to voice their feelings. From their conversation came the "Warhawks for Social Justice" forum in early September.

"Everybody was responsive in a positive manner," Hodoh said. "Basically there were the social injustice incidents that occurred more toward the beginning of the year. Towards the last incident, some of the younger guys and some of the older guys like Corey Straughter, Josh Johnson, Josh Pederson, they hit me up. We got the captains together and wanted to talk to Coach V about it and get his take on it.

"To hear that he already had plans in mind and that people at our school were already on board about doing something productive towards a bigger cause was great to hear."

Hodoh said feedback from family and friends has been positive.

"They commend us for what we do," he said. "This is honestly the first time situations like this have arisen. Everybody wants to be a part of something bigger than themselves. For us right now, what we're figuring out is that next step and what we can do as far as social injustice and what we can do with our platform."

For Hodoh, it was another watershed moment in a college career marked in achievement and personal growth. A former walk-on, Hodoh earned his scholarship from Viator prior to preseason camp in 2018 and continued to set a good example on and off the field.

"Even from there until now, the main thing I've had to focus on is becoming a leader," Hodoh said. "Right now, that's my biggest challenge but also something I'm looking forward to and I'm trying my hardest to work towards. Being in that position where you have to listen and sit back and see things from a different perspective to where I'm at now is definitely a humbling experience."

Originally from Ohio, Hodoh joined the program under the previous coaching staff but never lost sight of his goals. He played his first few years of high school ball in Ohio before moving to Baton Rouge and attending Dutchtown High for his junior and senior years

ULM had offered him then, but by the time he was ready to commit, it was too late and the roster was full. Hodoh still liked ULM though and decided to attend anyway.

"From that journey, it's been big," Hodoh said. "Honestly, that was such a challenging time. I remember the year before (getting a scholarship), I was playing as a walk-on and I got injured. Seeing all my hard work pay off, trusting the coaches and trusting the process, that was a really good feeling going into that season."

Hodoh is the top returning pass catcher among the receivers after recording 38 catches for 453 yards and three touchdowns in 2019. He set career highs in all three statistical categories a year ago.

"It's been a humbling experience and a roller coaster," Hodoh said reflecting on his career. "Just coming here not knowing what's going on to this right here has been crazy. Each day I'm here motivates me to get better."

Having already earned his bachelor's degree in exercise science and pre-physical therapy, Hodoh envisions himself remaining connected to the athletics world.

"I really want to get into sports psychology or sports science," Hodoh said. "Right now, I'm also getting my bachelor's in psychology. I want to get into a field studying the body and its movements and its basic functions going into sports. I'm all about getting to know the body and helping people get better.

"The main goal is to find a program that involves sports, whether it's psychology or the science behind it. Then eventually, maybe a few years down the road we could look into becoming an athletic director. Something bigger like that."
 
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