It's Hodgkiss' turn as BYU safety

PROVO — Now that BYU seniors David Tafuna and Dustin Gabriel are out for the season, it's time for another senior, Corby Hodgkiss, to take his turn at safety.

Tafuna became the latest Cougar, and third defensive starter since fall camp began, to be sidelined for the year when he suffered a serious foot injury, tearing the Lisfranc joint, Wednesday afternoon. Gabriel is undergoing surgery today on both feet.

Hodgkiss, who started fall camp behind Gabriel and Tafuna at the kat safety position, was set to play with the first team Thursday when coach Bronco Mendenhall surprised the team by telling them they were taking the day off to watch a movie.

"I really couldn't sleep last night. I was excited about this practice," Hodgkiss said. "I was kind of down that we weren't going to have it. I'm going to enjoy the break, but I was ready for this practice."

A senior from Irving, Texas, Hodgkiss has been in the program since 2002, when he redshirted as a freshman. Following an LDS mission, the 5-foot-11, 206-pounder returned to Provo and has seen significant playing time. He has played in every game the past two seasons, and he started two games in 2005.

Still, Hodgkiss knows that outsiders may doubt him and his abilities because he started fall camp as a third-stringer.

"What they don't realize is that I've started games before, I've been here for a while. I don't doubt myself at all," he said. "I'm confident. I'll prove myself. I've proven myself out here throughout camp. I'll prove myself in the first game and the next 12 or 13 games. It doesn't matter to me what other players say. I'm going to work hard every day. That's all that matters to me. I'm excited for the opportunity."

Hodgkiss said while he is saddened by Tafuna's injury, he's eager for the new challenge.

"It was a fluke thing to happen to him. You hate to see him go down like that. David's a great friend of mine. I love him to death. He was having a great fall camp. He deserved to be able to play this year. I talked to him last night and he's very upset about the situation, obviously. But for the program, he's got a redshirt year and he'll help us next year."

Now the Cougars are looking at junior Kellen Fowler possibly backing up Hodgkiss, along with true freshman Jordan Pendleton, the Deseret Morning News' 5A most valuable player for 2006.