In 2005, Hodge was named to several pre-season awards watchlists, including: the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, the Lott Trophy watch list, the Dick Butkus Award watch list, the Bednarik Award watch list. He was also named first team defensive All-America by Phil Steele's "College Football Preview", second team All-America by "Athlon Sports," second team All-America by Rivals.com, third team All-America by Nationalchamps.net, No. 4 inside linebacker by "The Sporting News", first team All-Big Ten by "Athlon Sports", first team All-Big Ten by collegefootballnews.com, first team All-Big Ten by Rivals.com, sixth best player in Big Ten by collegefootballnews.com, and third team All-America by collegesportsreport.com.