The Vikings’ starting middle linebacker spot this decade already has been held by E.J. Henderson, Jasper Brinkley, Erin Henderson, Audie Cole and Brinkley again. Now, it’s Gerald Hodges’ turn.

Hodges said Tuesday he has won the job, winning a competition with Cole and rookie Eric Kendricks.

“That’s the way it’s looking, yes sir,” Hodges said about getting the call for Monday’s regular-season opener at San Francisco. “I feel great. I feel excited.”

Cole confirmed the move. It marks the second straight year that Cole, who got five starts to close 2013, has been beaten out for the job in the preseason.

Also Tuesday, Robert Blanton confirmed he has won the starting strong safety job. That move was expected, with Blanton holding off Antone Exum.

Blanton and Hodges were the only two starters used in last Thursday’s exhibition finale at Tennessee. Blanton said he played “all right” in the preseason but expects to do more.

“I’m trying to be the best,” he said. “I want to be a perfectionist.”

Cole started the first two preseason games at middle linebacker, followed by Kendricks for one and Hodges for the final two. Head coach Mike Zimmer turned his attention to Hodges, previously an outside linebacker exclusively, on Aug. 1.

Zimmer declined Monday to announce his choice, and he was unavailable for comment Tuesday.

“The goal is just to help my team and do whatever the coaches need me to do to go out and get a victory,” Hodges said of Monday’s opener. “I’m excited to get this season going.”

Since E.J. Henderson retired after the 2011 season, the Vikings have been looking for stability at the position. Brinkley held the job in 2012 and 2014. Erin Henderson, E.J.’s brother, had it for most of 2013 until Cole took over.

“I’m just going to do whatever they ask me to do,” Cole said. “That’s how it is.”

According to Pro Football Focus ratings, Hodges had by far the best preseason of the three candidates. The third-year man had an overall plus-2.8 rating to minus-0.3 for Cole and minus-0.7 for Kendricks.

Hodges started the first two exhibition games at outside linebacker in place of injured Anthony Barr before playing in the middle in the final three. He earned Pro Football Focus ratings in those three games of plus-0.8, plus-1.3 and minus-0.4.

“I think he has done a good job,” said defensive end Brian Robison. “Hodges is a very instinctual player. That’s what allows him to make so many plays. He really does play with his instincts. He obviously brings a passion to the game, and loves the game of football. So he brings a lot of excitement.”

While Hodges never has started an NFL regular-season game at middle linebacker, he does have seven starts on the outside. All came last year filling in when Barr and Chad Greenway were injured.

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.