Virginia Tech tight end Bucky Hodges announced on Twitter yesterday evening that he’ll forgo the 2016 NFL draft and return for another season at Virginia Tech.
https://twitter.com/Bucky757/status/687403597441687553
Hodges was only a redshirt sophomore this past season, but since he is three seasons out of high school, he is eligible to declare for the draft. He is considered one of the top athletes at the tight end position — perhaps the top athlete — though his overall game could use more development.
Hodges has been overshadowed a bit by Isaiah Ford’s meteoric rise up the Virginia Tech receiving charts, but Hodges has had two very productive seasons himself. He already has 13 touchdown catches, tied for 8th in Virginia Tech’s career list.
Though listed as a tight end, Hodges has been used often as a third receiver, splitting out wide and creating matchup problems for smaller cornerbacks, and lining up in the slot and succeeding against slower linebackers.
For his career, Hodges has 85 receptions (tied for 20th all-time), 1,056 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns.
With Hodges returning, the Hokies now have 92.9% of their skill position points returning for the 2016 season.
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What money? You only get meaningful guaranteed money in first two rounds. Let’s hope he stays 2 more years.
Myron Richardson mentioned twice in the chart
I’m glad that he will be back. Hope that he will get over himself. Still have vision of his incurring an unsportsmanlike penalty for the team by showboating after a TD. Score the TD, hand the ball to the ref, and go celebrate with your teammates on the sidelines.
I hope that he will use next year to fully realize his potential.
That was two years ago in his first college game when VT beat the eventual national champs. Time to move on from that. He was young….
He started to do it in a game this season but teammates stopped him.
If I were Bucky, I would try to get the coaches to re-classify me as a WR. More $$ to be made in the NFL at that position (see Jimmy Graham).
Wow, that graph really shows the lack of offensive production in the 2011 Freshman/r-FR class.
0% from freshmen in 2011
0% from sophomores in 2012
6% from juniors in 2013
0% from seniors in 2014
It is a relatively weak TE class in this year’s draft with a lot of players like the Michigan TE, Jake Butt also not turning pro. Surprises me that Hodges didn’t jump ship, but I am glad.
Awww yiss.
Smart choice. Work on getting that degree. These players are only one major injury from a premature end of a NFL career.
Which is also a pretty good reason to take the money now.
Glad he’s back. Better odds on being best for his long term future IMO.
Yeah take the money now. Can always get a degee after…