Devlin Hodges Biography
Devlin Hodges is an American former professional football quarterback who rose to fame through his inspiring journey from an undrafted player to a starting quarterback in the National Football League. Best known for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hodges became a fan favorite during the 2019 NFL season because of his calm leadership, underdog story, and memorable performances on the field. His nickname “Duck” also became widely recognized across football circles after his childhood success in competitive duck calling.
Born on April 12, 1996, in Kimberly, Hodges built his football reputation at Samford University where he became one of the greatest quarterbacks in FCS history. He won the prestigious Walter Payton Award in 2018 after setting major NCAA passing records and establishing himself as one of college football’s most productive players. His college achievements later opened the door to his professional football career.
In recent years, Devlin Hodges has remained in the public spotlight because of his relationship with country music superstar Lainey Wilson. News about their engagement in 2025 attracted widespread media attention and introduced Hodges to a broader entertainment audience beyond sports fans. Despite retiring from professional football in 2022, his story continues to inspire many people who admire perseverance, determination, and unexpected success.
Devlin Hodges Early Life and Background
Devlin Patrick Hodges was born on April 12, 1996, in Kimberly. He was raised in a close-knit Southern family that valued sports, hard work, and outdoor living. Growing up in Alabama, Hodges developed a deep love for athletics from a very young age and spent much of his childhood playing football, baseball, basketball, and hockey. His energetic personality and competitive mindset quickly made him stand out among his peers.
Hodges attended Mortimer Jordan High School where he began building his reputation as a talented quarterback. During his high school years, he displayed strong leadership qualities and impressive passing ability, earning recognition across Alabama for his performances on the football field. His dedication to improving his game helped him become one of the school’s most notable athletes.
Outside football, Hodges became famous locally for another unique talent. As a child, he participated in duck-calling competitions and eventually won a world duck-calling championship. This achievement earned him the famous nickname “Duck,” a name that later followed him throughout his football career and became part of his public identity in the NFL.
His upbringing in Alabama played a major role in shaping his humble and grounded personality. The strong support from his family and community helped him remain focused on his goals even when he faced challenges later in his football journey. From an early age, Devlin Hodges showed determination, resilience, and a passion for competition that would eventually define his career.
Devlin Hodges Education
Devlin Hodges attended Mortimer Jordan High School in Kimberly, Alabama, where he balanced academics with a growing passion for sports. During his time in high school, he became widely recognized for his football talent and leadership skills as the team’s quarterback. His performances on the field earned attention from college football programs and helped establish his reputation as one of the promising young athletes in Alabama.
After graduating from high school, Hodges enrolled at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. At Samford, he pursued his academic studies while also building an outstanding college football career with the Samford Bulldogs. Public records confirm that he studied sports administration during his undergraduate years. His education gave him a deeper understanding of athletics, leadership, teamwork, and sports management.
While at Samford, Hodges continued to grow both academically and athletically. He later worked toward a master’s degree in secondary education, showing his interest in personal development beyond football. His time at the university helped shape his discipline, communication skills, and professional mindset.
Hodges’ college years became the foundation of his future success. Beyond earning academic qualifications, he also developed into one of the greatest quarterbacks in FCS football history. His experience at Samford played a major role in preparing him for professional football and life after sports.
Devlin Hodges Career Journey
Devlin Hodges began gaining national attention during his time at Samford University where he played quarterback for the Samford Bulldogs. From the beginning of his college career, he showed exceptional passing ability, confidence, and leadership on the field. Over the years, he developed into one of the most productive quarterbacks in NCAA FCS history and consistently delivered impressive performances for his team.
During his college football career, Hodges broke multiple records and became widely respected across college football. In 2018, he won the prestigious Walter Payton Award, which is presented to the top offensive player in FCS football. He also finished his college career as the NCAA FCS all-time leader in passing yards with 14,584 yards, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in subdivision history.
Despite his outstanding college achievements, Hodges went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft. Shortly afterward, he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent. Many people doubted his chances of succeeding in the NFL, but injuries to key quarterbacks during the 2019 season unexpectedly gave him the opportunity to play.
Hodges made his NFL debut during the 2019 season and quickly became a fan favorite because of his calm personality and surprising performances. He started several games for the Steelers and helped keep the team competitive during a difficult season. His underdog journey from an undrafted rookie to an NFL starting quarterback attracted major media attention and inspired many football fans.
During his rookie NFL season, Hodges played in eight games and started six games for Pittsburgh. He threw for over 1,000 passing yards and recorded multiple touchdown passes. His nickname “Duck” became nationally recognized, and Steelers supporters embraced him as one of the memorable stories of the season.
After his time with Pittsburgh, Hodges later joined the Los Angeles Rams organization before moving to the Canadian Football League where he signed with the Ottawa Redblacks. Although his professional football career was relatively short, he continued pursuing opportunities in the sport while gaining valuable experience at different levels of competition.
In April 2022, Devlin Hodges officially announced his retirement from professional football. Following retirement, reports indicated that he shifted his focus toward business activities, outdoor interests, and real estate work. Even after stepping away from football, his inspiring rise from an overlooked college quarterback to an NFL starter remains one of the most respected underdog stories in recent football history.
Devlin Hodges Personal Life
Devlin Hodges is known for living a quiet and private lifestyle despite his public recognition from football. He was raised in a close-knit family in Kimberly by his parents, Zane and Amy Hodges, alongside his younger brother, Duncan. His Southern upbringing played a major role in shaping his humble personality, strong work ethic, and love for outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing.
Outside football, Hodges enjoys spending time outdoors and maintaining a simple lifestyle away from constant media attention. His famous nickname “Duck” came from his success in duck-calling competitions during childhood, a talent that later became part of his public identity throughout his football career. Friends and fans often describe him as calm, grounded, and easygoing, qualities that made him popular both on and off the field.
In recent years, Hodges has attracted major public attention because of his relationship with Lainey Wilson. Their relationship became widely known among sports and entertainment fans, and reports in 2025 confirmed that the couple became engaged. Their relationship has continued to generate media coverage, especially because of Wilson’s growing success in the country music industry.
Devlin Hodges Age, Religion, Tribe, Height and Physical Appearance
Devlin Hodges was born on April 12, 1996, in Kimberly. As of 2026, he is 30 years old. He is an American by nationality and comes from a White American ethnic background. Hodges was raised in the Southern United States where Christian values are commonly practiced, and public information associates him with Christianity.
Physically, Hodges has an athletic build that developed through years of competitive football training. He stands at approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs around 210 pounds. His strong physique, quick movement, and arm strength were important qualities during his football career as a quarterback.
Hodges is recognized for his rugged outdoor appearance and relaxed Southern style. He often appears wearing casual country-inspired outfits that reflect his Alabama roots and love for outdoor activities. His beard, confident posture, and calm personality also contributed to his recognizable public image during and after his football career.
Devlin Hodges Net Worth
Devlin Hodges has an estimated net worth of around $2 million as of 2026. His wealth primarily comes from his professional football career, endorsement opportunities, business activities, and real estate involvement after retirement.
During his football career, Hodges earned money through contracts with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams, and the Ottawa Redblacks. Public contract records show that he signed NFL deals worth hundreds of thousands of dollars during his time in professional football.
After retiring from football in 2022, Hodges reportedly shifted into business ventures and real estate work, which contributed to his financial growth. His public profile also increased because of his relationship with Lainey Wilson, leading to more media exposure and brand opportunities.
Devlin Hodges Legacy and Impact
Devlin Hodges will always be remembered as one of the most inspiring underdog stories in modern football. Despite going undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, he worked his way from an overlooked college quarterback to becoming a starting player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. His determination, confidence, and ability to perform under pressure earned him respect from teammates, coaches, and football fans across the country.
Before reaching the NFL, Hodges built a historic college football legacy at Samford University. He became the NCAA FCS all-time leader in career passing yards and won the prestigious Walter Payton Award in 2018. His achievements placed him among the greatest quarterbacks in FCS history and made him one of the most successful athletes ever produced by Samford University.
Beyond statistics and awards, Hodges’ story continues to inspire many young athletes who dream of succeeding despite being underestimated. His journey proved that persistence, hard work, and belief in oneself can create opportunities even when the odds appear difficult. Although his professional football career was short, the “Duck Hodges” story remains memorable in football culture because of the hope and excitement he brought to fans during his unexpected rise.
Conclusion
Devlin Hodges’ journey from a small-town athlete in Kimberly to a professional football quarterback is a powerful story of perseverance, determination, and unexpected success. Through his record-breaking college career at Samford University and his memorable time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he proved that hard work and confidence can overcome doubt and limitations. Even after retiring from football, Hodges remains admired for his humble personality, inspiring underdog story, and growing public presence alongside Lainey Wilson, making him a respected figure in both sports and popular culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Devlin Hodges
1. Who is Devlin Hodges?
Devlin Hodges is an American former professional football quarterback best known for playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2019 NFL season. He became famous for his inspiring underdog journey from an undrafted player to an NFL starter.
2. Why is Devlin Hodges called Duck?
Devlin Hodges earned the nickname “Duck” after winning a world duck-calling competition when he was younger. The nickname became widely recognized throughout his football career and remained part of his public identity.
3. How old is Devlin Hodges?
Devlin Hodges was born on April 12, 1996, in Kimberly. As of 2026, he is 30 years old and continues to attract public attention because of his football background and personal life.
4. What college did Devlin Hodges attend?
He attended Samford University where he played college football for the Samford Bulldogs. He later became one of the greatest quarterbacks in NCAA FCS history with several passing records.
5. Did Devlin Hodges win any major awards?
Yes. In 2018, Devlin Hodges won the Walter Payton Award, which is given to the best offensive player in NCAA FCS football. The award recognized his outstanding college football performances and achievements.
6. Is Devlin Hodges married?
Devlin Hodges is not officially married publicly, but he is engaged to Lainey Wilson. Their relationship has received significant attention from both sports fans and entertainment media.
7. When did Devlin Hodges retire from football?
Devlin Hodges officially retired from professional football in April 2022 after spending time in both the NFL and the Canadian Football League. Following retirement, he reportedly moved into business and real estate activities.
8. What is Devlin Hodges’ net worth?
As of 2026, Devlin Hodges has an estimated net worth of around $2 million. His income has come from football contracts, endorsements, business activities, and real estate investments after retirement.
9. How tall is Devlin Hodges?
Devlin Hodges stands at approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall. His athletic build and quarterback skills helped him compete successfully at both college and professional football levels.
10. What made Devlin Hodges famous?
Devlin Hodges became famous because of his unexpected rise from an undrafted quarterback to a starting player for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2019 NFL season. His underdog story inspired many football fans across America.