A little over a year and a half ago, three new freshman football players arrived at the University of Wisconsin. The trio of linebackers came from across the country — Milwaukee, New Jersey and southern Florida — but quickly bonded and began imagining a time in the near future when they would comprise the Wisconsin linebacking corps.

Last season, the Milwaukee native, DeAndre Levy, and the Jersey guy, Jonathan Casillas, earned starting spots at each of the outside linebacker positions, flanking then-senior Mark Zalewski.

With Zalewski gone this season, the third member of that group, Elijah Hodge, will most likely fill the middle linebacker position. Teamed with his two friends for what will likely be one of the Big Ten's fastest and most athletic linebacking corps, UW will be formidable at the position for the next two seasons.

"Coming in as freshmen, we all talked about that, all three of us being on the field at the same time," Levy said. "Now it's here, and I'm expecting great things."

After a redshirt season his first year on campus, Hodge spent last season as Zalewski's backup. Despite not seeing time as a regular starter, Hodge took advantage of the opportunity to learn the defense and better himself as a player.

"Playing behind Mark Zalewski a year ago, … we basically explained to him, 'Hey, don't look at it as a negative, look at it as a positive,'" head coach Bret Bielema said. "'You are going to train behind a guy who knows the intricate details of that position and is very, very athletic and has some of the same abilities you have. Try and learn as much as you can.'"

Make no mistake: While Hodge's ascent to the top of the depth charts is a good story, he has earned his place with a tremendous work ethic and drive.

"Hodge was like a step behind (Zalewski) all last year," Levy said. "Even during games, he was right there on the sidelines seeing everything that was going on."

If there were one position on the defensive side of the ball that would be hardest for a newcomer to adjust to, it would be middle linebacker. The position is responsible for many of the defensive calls and is often looked to for leadership.

Nevertheless, early returns on Hodge have been encouraging for the Badgers.

"It would seem tough from the outside," Levy said on adjusting to a new teammate and signal caller. "But we knew Hodge, from Day 1, has always been a step ahead of everyone else mentally, … so you never really worry about anything he's supposed to be doing."

The three still remain close, living on the same floor of their apartment building and hanging out regularly.

"I love those guys like they are my own brothers," Hodge said. "We came in, same class, and we all just bonded together. … It's not just football love, it's brotherly love. I trust those guys on the field and off the field."

And while Hodge has two "brothers" alongside him on the football field, another brother has played a huge role in his development as a person and a player.

Abdul Hodge, Elijah's older brother, was a three-time All-Big Ten linebacker while at Iowa and currently plays for the Green Bay Packers. Bielema, who coached the elder Hodge while an assistant at Iowa, sees similarities between the two brothers.

"[He's] very similar to his older brother," Bielema said. "He's got some of those same (attributes), but maybe a little taller and a little more athletic. Hopefully those things will continue to come out."

Practice Notes: Tight End Travis Beckum wore a green "no-contact" jersey but participated fully in drills. … Quarterbacks Allan Evridge and Tyler Donovan split snaps with the first-team offense. … On the second play of 11-on-11 drills, Evridge overthrew his intended receiver downfield and was intercepted by Kim Royston. … Defensive tackle Jason Chapman looked explosive off the ball and was disruptive during offense-defense drills.