The X-League in Japan has become a "next stop" for some Toreros after their time at the University of San Diego as football players has come to a close. The professional league is currently home to three Toreros and has welcomed a total of five over the years (Loka Kanongataa and Mason Mills also played in the X-League).

For the look back at Anthony Lawrence's rookie campaign in Japan, click here. And for insight into the legacy Al-Rilwan Adeyemi is leaving in his accomplished career, click here.
 

Two years into his time in the X-League, Jonah Hodges has found himself as one of the key players with the Asahi Beer Silver Star in Kawasaki City – a team in a league that he did not know existed the last time he wore a Torero uniform.

Hodges, a former All-American who is second on USD's all-time career rushing list, left the Toreros with plenty in the tank after the 2016 season. He just did not know what that next opportunity in the game looked like after he tried out for the Detroit Lions in May 2017 and briefly signed a contract with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League.

While the North American opportunities did not work out, an unexpected one ended up in front of him.

"I had no idea there was a league in Japan until I got hit up by a general manager," said Hodges. "He had heard about me and I had heard a little bit about them from (former Torero quarterback) Mason Mills (Mills also played for the Silver Star). So I flew out on a visit. I was there for eight days and I absolutely loved it."

What was once essentially a week-long "let's see how it goes" visit has turned into a pair of seasons in the X-League. Hodges, who transferred to USD after starting his collegiate career at Cal, has embraced the entire experience of living in a new country. Traveling and seeing new cultures is something he already enjoyed.

As expected, though, there was the natural transition of a new language for Hodges in his new home, but he made sure to work his way into the compatible range.

"(Team meetings) ... that was a very different change for me especially, because a lot of this stuff is in Japanese," said Hodges. "And also there's a ton of Japanese on the field. There's not too much English, and not too many people understand. So learning a little bit of Japanese definitely goes a long way with football there, just even if it's 'Right, Left.'" 

Asked on how much Japanese he has learned, Hodges said, "I picked up a pretty good amount the first year I was there. I can have a conversation in Japanese. It would have to be pretty minimal, but I could talk a little bit here and there."

There may have been a language learning curve at first, but Hodges worked his way into the culture by gaining the respect of his teammates and the Silver Star organization.

"Americans over there, they get respect and they're treated very well, like from teammates and coaches and all the support staff," said Hodges. "On the field it was basically the same: just playing football, which is what I love to do."

Hodges is a running back for the Silver Star, an organization that has reached the Japan X Bowl eight times in its history but struggled as of late. While team success has been limited, Hodges has found his own level of achievement beyond his patented ability to be a rushing and receiving threat out of the backfield.

"Probably the biggest accomplishment or most exciting thing for me was not on the field, but off the field being able to live in somewhere like Japan, which is just totally not anything like where I'm from," said the Santa Cruz, Calif. native. "And then learning another language and just learning different cultural ways. That was a real highlight for me."

The living abroad and playing the game he loves is something Hodges would like to see other American football players consider as well.

"I think it's something awesome that even more people should end up doing, especially if you want to continue playing football," said Hodges. "Because the reality is, a lot of people aren't going to stick in the NFL, so you can either hang it up right there and get into a lifelong career, or if you still want to play, Japan's the perfect place for that."

Getting to Japan was also an opportunity for Hodges to learn from other Toreros who made the journey to the X-League.

"When I heard about (Al-Rilwan) and Mason Mills over there, that was the pathway for me to go," said Hodges. "And then when Anthony (Lawrence) was interested, he contacted me and then I walked him through the process. And I think there should be a few more guys who probably end up going. It's a spot where you're going to get treated really well, you're going to be able to play football at a high level, and you're also going to make a nice salary out of it. So I think it's something that a lot more guys should look into."

Although Hodges, a 2017 USD graduate, is young in his professional career, he felt set up for success thanks to his time in San Diego.

"With the coaches and Coach Lindsey, you're not going to be in a more professionally ran program than at USD," said Hodges. "The way that they're handling meetings and the way they're handling on the field, off the field, stuff like that. You can really tell if someone has finished through the USD football program because it's not easy. It's very strenuous, but it's rewarding and pays off in the long run."

With the coronavirus pandemic putting a pause on sports, Hodges is still debating whether returning to the X-League for a third season.

"I'm not saying I'm done, I'm not saying I'm going back for sure," said Hodges. "I'm kind of just taking it day by day, and I'm definitely going to see what they're doing with this upcoming season now."