Tommy Hodson did not merely have a good career at LSU. He built one of the most productive, durable and successful quarterback careers in the history of the program. Nearly four decades after his final game, his name still sits at the top of LSU’s record book.

That is why LSU should retire Tommy Hodson’s No. 13 jersey.

Start with the numbers. Hodson remains LSU’s career leader in passing yards with 9,115, pass attempts with 1,163 and completions with 674. His 69 touchdown passes rank second in school history, trailing only Joe Burrow’s 76. LSU has produced two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks, national champions and some of the most explosive offenses college football has ever seen. Yet Hodson still owns three of the program’s biggest career passing records.

He produced those numbers from 1986 through 1989, long before spread offenses, quarterback friendly rules and expanded playoff seasons created more opportunities for modern passers. Hodson became the first 9,000 yard passer in Southeastern Conference history and the first SEC quarterback to throw for more than 2,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. He recorded 26 games with at least 200 passing yards and started all but one game during his four playing seasons.

Most importantly, Hodson won. His 31 victories remain the most by a starting quarterback in LSU history. He finished with a 31-14-1 record and led the Tigers to SEC championships in 1986 and 1988. As a redshirt freshman in 1986, he stepped into the starting job, passed for 2,261 yards and 19 touchdowns, and led LSU to the SEC title and the Sugar Bowl.

Hodson was not an ordinary freshman quarterback. He earned first team All-SEC recognition from the Associated Press and the SEC coaches, was named a second team Freshman All-American by Football News and finished sixth nationally in passing efficiency. He became the first freshman in SEC history to pass for more than 2,000 yards.

That season was not a one year one off. Hodson earned All-SEC recognition in all four of his seasons. He was a finalist for the Davey O’Brien Award as a sophomore, and LSU promoted him as a Heisman Trophy candidate as a junior and senior. He also received LSU’s Percy E. Roberts Award as the team’s most valuable offensive player four consecutive times.

His senior season showed just how dangerous he could be. Hodson passed for 2,655 yards and 22 touchdowns. Against Tennessee, he completed 31 of 49 passes for 438 yards and four touchdowns. During a three game stretch against Kentucky, Tennessee and Ole Miss, he completed 72 of 118 passes for 1,102 yards and nine touchdowns. Those are modern looking numbers produced in 1989.

Hodson was a Louisiana star before he ever reached LSU. At Central Lafourche High School, he passed for 4,361 yards and 36 touchdowns. As a senior in 1984, he completed 210 of 363 passes for 3,006 yards and 28 touchdowns. He earned All-America honors and was named Louisiana’s Class 4A player of the year. He also averaged 27.4 points per game in basketball as a senior.

Then came the moment that made him immortal in Tiger Stadium.

On October 8, 1988, LSU trailed fourth ranked Auburn 6-0 late in the game. Facing fourth and 10 from the Auburn 11, Hodson found Eddie Fuller in the back of the end zone for an 11 yard touchdown with 1:41 remaining. The extra point gave LSU a 7-6 victory.

The reaction from 79,341 fans was so powerful that the vibrations registered on a seismograph in LSU’s geology department. The game became known as the Earthquake Game. Tiger Stadium literally shook because Hodson delivered when LSU had one final chance.

The New England Patriots selected Hodson in the third round with the 59th overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. He played for New England, Miami, Dallas and New Orleans. He appeared in 36 NFL games, made 12 starts and completed 174 of 320 passes for 1,823 yards and seven touchdowns.

Hodson was inducted into the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2013. Those honors recognize his greatness. Retiring No. 13 would permanently display it.

Few players have combined longevity, records, championships and a defining moment as completely as Hodson did in Baton Rouge.

The case is overwhelming: 9,115 passing yards, 674 completions, 1,163 attempts, 69 touchdowns, 31 victories, four All-SEC seasons, two SEC championships and one pass that moved the earth.

LSU should retire Tommy Hodson’s jersey.