This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
It has been an interesting season for BYU senior receiver Cody Hoffman, who chose to come back for his final year despite overtures from the NFL that he would likely be drafted in the mid-to-late rounds if he left early. Hoffman missed BYU's first game, a 19-16 loss to Virginia, after straining a hamstring in the week leading up to the game. Then he missed BYU's easiest game, to date, a 37-10 win over MTSU, because he was suspended. Still, Hoffman is on the verge of becoming the most prolific receiver in school history, as was outlined in this story in today's Tribune. Through it all, Hoffman told reporters Tuesday that new receivers coach Guy Holliday has been there for him, helping him see the way through some pretty dark days. "He's been a really good leader for me," Hoffman said of Holliday. "I feel like I can relate to him. And this isn't his first rodeo coaching and he knows what it will take to get me to the next level, so I feel like I got to take everything in that he says, because he knows what it will take to get me better." Hoffman's touchdown catch against Georgia Tech, his first of the season, was just his latest highlight-reel catch. By my count, it was the third time Hoffman made ESPN's Top 10 Plays of the Day, although I could be wrong. Hoffman humbly told reporters that he doesn't keep track of such a thing. I remember his juggling catch against Oregon State in Corvallis and his catch and run against NMSU when he leaped over an Aggie defender as making the Top 10. I think the game-winning touchdown catch against Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl was also on there, but quarterback Riley Nelson probably deserves more credit for that one, seeing as how Nelson faked out Tulsa defenders before the play. Holliday's take on Hoffman's big grab against Tech: "That was a good one," Holliday said. "As far as having a guy draped over you and adjusting to the ball, that was big-time." The receivers coach said Hoffman is a fighter. "He is back in shape, and it is a joy to watch him. He's back in a groove and ready to go. Cody is a little bit laid back. Some people confuse that with a lack of worth ethic. That's not true. Cody Hoffman is probably one of the most competitive people I have been around. Cody is as tough as nails." Will the Cougars be looking to get Hoffman going early against those other Cougars on Saturday? Don't count on it, according to Taysom Hill. "I am not going to try to do anything outside myself. So I am going to stick to my progression. We have a lot of plays drawn up for Cody, so he is going to break that easily, and I am happy to be here with him, to see that happen," Hill said.These charts were published online (the Hoffman-record story wasn't published in the paper), so here they are again in case you missed them:BYU Career Receptions1 (tie) — Cody Hoffman and Dennis Pitta, 2213 — Austin Collie, 2154 - Matt Bellini, 204BYU Career Touchdown Receptions1 — Austin Collie, 302 (tie) — Cody Hoffman and Eric Drage, 294 — Phil Odle, 25BYU Career Receiving Yards1, Austin Collie, 3,2552, Eric Drage, 3,0653, Cody Hoffman, 3,0294, Dennis Pitta, 2,901