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BYU wide receiver Cody Hoffman will return to the school for his senior season, according to a report from the Del Norte Triplicate.
The Del Norte paper, in the city where Hoffman played prep football, confirmed an earlier report on Friday from KSL that Hoffman would not enter the NFL Draft.
"The atmosphere, just having the support everywhere we go, it doesn't get better than this," Hoffman told KSL. "I don't see why I wouldn't come back for my senior year."
Hoffman affirmed his decision with the Triplicate Friday and did not comment further.
Hoffman, the 6'4" junior, was about the only bright spot of BYU's offense in a 23-6 victory over San Diego State in the Poinsettia Bowl. Hoffman hauled in 10 catches for 114 yards in a game that saw BYU's defense score two touchdowns and set up a third.
In my pseudo-expert view, Hoffman's junior season was marked by a clear improvement in technique and footwork. While good as a freshman and sophomore, making plays with height and athleticism, it seemed to me Hoffman ran better routes and utilized tighter footwork than in the past. I thought he may be ready for the NFL in that regard, but I am definitely glad to see him come back.
As Hoffman returns, presumably to catch passes from the healing Taysom Hill, he should leave BYU as it's all-time #1 receiver in a storied passing game history. Despite playing for three seasons with a questionable quarterback situation, Hoffman still finds himself near the top of BYU receiving lists (courtesy of CougarStats):
RECEPTIONS (needed for record: 19)
|
Player |
REC |
|
|
1 |
221 |
|
|
2 |
215 |
|
|
3 |
204 |
|
|
4 |
203 |
|
|
5 |
189 |
YARDS (needed for record: 538)
|
Player |
YDS |
|
|
1 |
3,255 |
|
|
2 |
3,065 |
|
|
3 |
2,901 |
|
|
4 |
2,841 |
|
|
5 |
2,718 |
TOUCHDOWNS (needed for record: 3)
|
Player |
TD▼ |
|
|
1 |
30 |
|
|
2 |
29 |
|
|
3 |
28 |
|
|
4 |
25 |
|
|
5 |
23 |
In addition to school records, Hoffman should be an important offensive weapon as BYU faces a daunting 2013 schedule.
***UPDATE 12/28/2012 - 10:45 PM***
Hoffman has now confirmed the report himself via Twitter:
proud to announce that I'll be returning to BYU for my senior year with my boys! #2013
— Cody Hoffman (@Cody_Hoffman2) December 29, 2012
now my next goal is to get @kvn_03 to stay with me.. help me out people!!
— Cody Hoffman (@Cody_Hoffman2) December 29, 2012