Gray suits Hodgdon just fine

GRAYSHIRTING HAS distinct advantages for both player and school. What gets put on pause for one season is often more than made up over the course of a college career. The Cougs' Tim Hodgdon, a 6-3.5, 287 pound o-lineman, will grayshirt this season. But just because he'll wait until January to enroll, don't think he's taking it easy -- just get a load of his current strength numbers.

"I'm grayshirting, that's what they want me to do and I'm actually kind of excited about it," said Tim Hodgdon.

A quick look at the weight room numbers reveals Hodgdon has been working hard in the gym this offseason. And he figures to stay in close proximity to the iron in the fall.

"I'm actually coaching for my high school (offensive line) so I'll be able to stay close to the football aspect of it. My maxes have gone up so much...my bench is now 415, my deep squat max is 565 and my power clean is 325," said Hodgdon.

"I've actually cut my weight back a little. I didn't like playing at 300 so now I'm at 287."

Although taking on some coaching duties in high school can be a time consuming profession, he'll be spending most of his hours involved in other pursuits.

"A lot of my time is actually spent in training. An hour and a half, two hours working out and then my running and (other parts) of a workout," said Hodgdon.

GRAYSHIRTING ALLOWS A school to spread out their numbers and recruiting classes. For the player, it allows him to go through a spring ball session and offseason voluntary workouts, a huge benefit.

It also provides the opportunity to become acclimated to student life and college coursework well before fall camp begins in August, when the rest of the recruiting class arrives.

The downside for a competitive athlete like Hodgdon of course is in the short term -- it's in effect like hitting the pause button on a DVD. And it can be difficult for a player to sit out for a fall. But once January rolls around, the benefits long term are considerable.

ALSO, HODGDON SAID his brother, Tanner Hodgdon, a class of 2009 defensive end prospect, is drawing interest from Washington State this recruiting season.

They've talked to me about him and they like his frame but they really haven't seen him play (yet). So hopefully we'll get some film out to them during the season...He's a great athlete, he weighs about 230 but runs about 4.7.

The two schools recruiting Tanner the hardest so far are San Diego State and Oregon State, said the older Hodgdon.