Just his style: BYU WR Cody Hoffman uses Twitter to announce return for senior season

By now, you have probably heard that Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Cody Hoffman has announced he will return for his senior season. It should have come as no surprise that Hoffman used Twitter to make it official.

Hoffman's big 6-foot-4 frame and strong hands allows him to standout on the football field. Put him in front of a camera and a microphone, and he tries to just blend in with the crowd. Football has brought fame and attention to the Crescent City, California native, but one thing is clear. Hoffman would like to live out of the spotlight.

When the 2012 football season ended a little over a week ago, Hoffman had a major decision to make. Should he stay for his senior season, or should he declare for the NFL draft? When he came to his decision, he didn't call a press conference. He didn't leak the story to the press. He did it his way--via Twitter.

 At 10:12 pm on Friday, December 28, 2012, @Cody_Hoffman2 tweeted:
proud to announce that I'll be returning to BYU for my senior year with my boys! #2013
It was simple, effective, and it allowed him to get back to whatever else he was doing that night. Just his style.

BLUE COUGAR FOOTBALL sees a lot of wisdom in Hoffman staying and playing one more year at BYU. We still maintain that Hoffman is a NFL caliber receiver and expect him to have a good professional career, but so much of success in sports is being in the right place at the right time. This year is not the right time for Hoffman to be in the NFL draft.

Hoffman is coming off one of the best seasons in BYU history for a wide receiver. He totaled 100 receptions for 1,248 yards, and 11 touchdowns. He had eight games with 100 yards receiving, and set the school records for most receiving touchdowns, most total touchdowns, and most points scored in a single game. The receptions and yardage totals are second most in school history. He has climbed near the top of the career lists, too, in just three seasons.

Career Receptions: 4th (203)
Career Receiving Touchdowns: 3rd (28)
Career Receiving Yards: 5th (2,718)
Most games with 100-yards receiving: 2nd (14)
All-Purpose Yards: 5th (4,052)

Notwithstanding his impressive career totals, the NFL isn't very impressed. Guys like Hoffman may be rare around Provo, but not in the NFL. Hoffman needs one more year at BYU to improve his draft stock.

The NFL draft works on the same principles of supply and demand as other business markets. Over the next year, Hoffman can increase the demand for his services in several ways. He can improve his ability to get open in man-to-man and bump-and-run coverage. After his sophomore season, Hoffman appeared to have Velcro hands, but this season he struggled down the stretch dropping a few passes that were sure touchdowns. Improving his speed--both out of the blocks and top end--is always helpful.

It will also be beneficial for Hoffman to break the aforementioned BYU career records. The second, third, and fourth records are held by Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie. Collie is second in school history for career receptions and all-purpose yards. The first step to getting drafted is to be noticed. The second step is to make NFL scouts want to evaluate you. Hoffman will achieve both if he can add to his resume that he had more receiving yards, more receiving touchdowns, more receptions, more 100-yard receiving games, and more all-purpose yards than Austin Collie.

Collie has done well, when healthy, in the NFL. For a player to be able to say he was more productive that Collie as a Cougar, it will get the attention of NFL decision makers. They will be interested in learning more about this player.

It is exciting as a Cougar fan to have Hoffman returning. His style on and off the field is appreciated in Provo. Hopefully it will be equally appreciated by NFL scouts one year from now.
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com

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