University of Arkansas football Coach Sam Pittman and running backs coach Kolby Smith made quite an impression on running back target TJ Hodges of Marked Tree by attending his basketball game on Jan. 17.
Hodges and the Indians defeated Ridgefield Christian 53-36 and the fans in attendance were excited to see the Razorback coaches.
“It was really cool because they showed me how much they wanted me,” Hodges said. “No coach has ever showed up for no basketball game knowing it’s not my No. 1 sport, but they saw me get some buckets. It was cool seeing them there. Everybody was taking pictures with them.”
Hodges, 6-0, 175 pounds, is a consensus 4-star football recruit in the 2026 class and one of the nation’s top running back prospects. On3.com industry ranking, which combines all four major recruiting services, rates him the No. 17 running back and No. 192 overall recruit nationally.
He had 156 carries for 1,752 yards and 22 touchdowns along with 10 catches for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns as a junior.
Hodges spent time with Pittman and Smith after the basketball game.
“I spoke with them and had a good conversation with them,” said Hodges, who was timed at 10.73 seconds in the 100 meters last spring. “They met my family. We were all laughing and talking.”
The conversation with the two coaches emphasized life after football and how the Hogs would set him up success, Hodges said. He also said he feels at ease when talking to Smith, his lead recruiter.
“I feel like I can talk to him about everything,” Hodges said. “He hits me up every day, checking on me. He asks me how things are going. It’s not talking about sports all the time. I feel like I’ve known him for a long time. That’s my dog, that’s my boy.”
Hodges said his talks with Smith cover several topics, including family and church. Hodges is very active in his church Kingdom Deliverance International Ministries in nearby Gilmore.
“I play the drums, I sing, I do all of it,” Hodges said. “I love music.”
He said his plans to release some gospel songs on YouTube in the near future.
“I can do country, anything,” he said.
Hodges also said he is mindful of the importance of being a doer of his faith and staying clear of things that don’t align with biblical principals.
“That’s why I put Him first, then family and then sports,” Hodges said. “I keep my social media clean. Everybody knows I’m a respectful young man. I love God. I’m heavy in the church.”
In addition to Arkansas, coaches from Oregon, Missouri, Auburn, Southern Cal, Ole Miss and Oklahoma State visited Hodges in January.
“It just makes me happy because I’m from a small school, small town,” Hodges said. “I didn’t expect all this to be happening this fast. I’m blessed for all of it honestly.”
Hodges, who has more than 20 scholarship offers, said teachers and students at his school were ecstatic to see college coaches in the hallways.
“Some of the people were like, ‘Where’s Marked Tree?’ ” Hodges said. “Most of the coaches said that. ‘Where’s Marked Tree?’ Everybody was actually shocked when they saw the coaches when they walked past the office or walked by where I was talking to the coaches.”
Hodges said he is in the process of setting up official visits to Arkansas, Oregon, Clemson, Auburn, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Oklahoma State and Missouri. He also said he could take visits to other schools who offer him.
“I’m going to the schools I’m very interested in,” he said. “I’m going to feel out the coaches, feel out the players. How the offense and system runs. I’m going to go from there.”
Hodges, who plans to announce his college decision before the start of his senior season, plans to graduate in December and enroll at his school of choice in January.
Email Richard Davenport at rdavenport@arkansasonline.com
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