The 6-foot-3, 212-pound Hodges, who was scheduled to visit Rutgers today, played quarterback and safety last season, but could be moving to running back. And he is being recruited as a safety.

Hodges' decision adds to the success Rutgers has had in recruiting players from South Jersey. Penns Grove running back-defensive back Aaron Hayward, one of South Jersey's top players, also chose the Scarlet Knights.

Hodges was an Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey selection last season as a defensive back, with 65 tackles and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 783 yards and eight touchdowns and passed for 552 yards and four touchdowns.

"Every time I looked at different schools, Rutgers always popped in my head," Hodges said yesterday. Hodges said that he had 16 or 17 offers, Penn State among them.

or mnarducci@phillynews.com.