Mauti & Hodges Make It Official, Sign With Vikings
Two weeks ago, former Penn State linebackers Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges were reunited in Minnesota after the Vikings drafted the duo. After a strong combine showing and a strong senior season, Hodges was a fourth-round selection and is expected to play at an outside linebacker position for Minnesota. Mauti dropped in value because of his most recent knee injury, but was selected in the seventh round and is expected to be an inside linebacker.
The reunion was made official yesterday when Hodges and Mauti both inked four-year rookie deals with the Vikings. Hodges is expected to make around $2.5 million over the course of the four years, similar to the contract that the player drafted in the same spot received last year. The terms of both contracts are currently unknown. Hodges was the first Viking draft pick to sign this offseason.
Check out what Hodges tweeted after he signed yesterday:
Happiest moment of my life.. I got called up to sign my contract after my workout #GODISAMAZING twitter.com/g_hodges6/stat…
— Gerald Hodges (@g_hodges6) May 14, 2013
Here’s a similar picture of Michael Mauti signing on the dotted line:
Michael Mauti is officially a Minnesota Viking. (Photo by: Tony Mills) twitter.com/OnwardState/st…
— Onward State (@OnwardState) May 14, 2013
And here’s the linebacker duo together, putting ink to paper:
This picture just made my whole day #LinebackerU @g_hodges6 twitter.com/hayleylujahh/s…
— hayley wenner (@hayleylujahh) May 14, 2013
The Vikings might have a starting role in mind for Hodges this season after they decided to shift outside linebacker Erin Henderson to the middle. That locks up a spot at Mauti’s position unfortunately, so don’t expect to see the pair on the field together often or at all this season.
“[The Vikings] told me I have a chance to really come in here and make an impact,” Hodges said in an interview with the Patriot-News. “I said whatever you guys need me to do, whatever you guys want me to do, I’m ready to do it. I’m ready to be a Viking and I’m ready to get started.”
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