Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Powerful Hodgin Often overlooked BY BILLY BAKER Gamecock Staff Writer When one plays in the shadow of a All-American athlete, publicity* doesn't come his way as often as he might deserve it. This seems to be the case of Jay Lynn Hodgin, one of the better power runners in collegiate football as he enters his senior year of competition at USC. The shadow is Jeff Grantz, but head Coach Paul Dietzel says, "I wouldn't like it at all if we didn't have them both. . You have to realize that each one compliments the other. I don't really believe they worry about publicity." In two previous seasons Hodgin, a 5-11, 203 pound halfback from Thomson, Ga., has rushed for 1,537 yards and scored 17 touchdowns. Last year he rushed for 862 yards, averaging five yards a carry. He is versatile,'baving completed 10 of 14 halfback optoon passes, returning 15 kickoffs for 344 yards and catching four passes for 53 yards as a junior. MA 1'._"'M : "fteally-, all I want to do is play," says Hodgin. "I don't really care who gets credit for what. I do think the key position on our of fense is the quarterback position and we are fortunate to have a guy like Grantz there." Dietzel thinks the pro scouts are interested in Hodgin because of his hard running style, even though his speed could be a factor against him. Hodgin has made it clear that he likes to run through people and not around them. "I like to punish the tackler more than he punishes me," said Hodgin. Because of his "durability" Dietzel thinks Hodgin will be a good candidate for pro do is play. I don't football. "Jay is a very-coachable athlete really care who get8 and he does things very well," said Dietzel. "I would say his chances credit for what. of playing pro football are pretty darn good." Hodgin feels the Gamecocks are more experienced at key positions -Jay Lynn Hodgin this season. "Even though we lost a lot of our offensive and defensive linemen the guys on the team feel that we have good replacements. It is just a case of hiw well we play together and'how lucky we are as to what success we are going to have." Hodgin describes college football as very competitive. "You have more talented people competing for each position." said Hodgin. "The pace is a lot because you are playing against bigger and faster people. You really have to be on your toes all the time." There is a special secret to running the veer from a halfbacks point of view according to Hodgin who should be a good scource of in formation. "You really have to watch the line play when you get the hand off because you really and truly don't know where the hole is going to be. "You really just have to watch the movement of the defensive line and go away from them as fast as possible. There is no predetermined place to go; it is all your reaction to the line play of your offense against their defense. The veer is a finesse offense and you really don't have to outmuscle anybody." Hodgin missed spring drills due to knee surgery. He thought this operation might slow him down- but to his surprise it has actually improved his speed. "I couldn't afford to let a knee injury slow me down," said Hodgin. "1 don't think I lost any speed. In fact, I think I am a step faster off the ball. This summer my knees felt stronger when I lifted weights." Carolina recruited Hodgin away from teams in his native state because Carolina, "was the first major college to offer me a scholarship." Hodgin was injured for half his senior season in high school and he thinks this was the reason many schools didn't recruit him. "When you aren't playing, a lot of school lose interest in you in a hurry," he recollected. "A good friend of mine had gone to the University of Georgia a few years before I had to make a decisiori where make a decision where to play. He got injured and told me the coaches there didn't take enough interest in him. I used this to in fluence my future because I felt maybe Georgia was toobig for me.' With the new World Football League it seems that Hodgin will have even a greater chance of making a pro club. However, he is quick t( say, "Football is a great game but there are a lot of other things yot can do with your life. I would like to travel because I have never beer to mnany far away places. There is a possibility that I might not ever be considered. You can never tell, I will have to consider the offei before I commit myself to pro ball." Carolina's hopes of a great season that rnight Include a trip to a bow game will depend on a team effort. But one thing for sure: Jay Lynr Hodgin will have a lot to say about Carolina's ability to put points or the bedrd. Hodgin Is going to make a lot of Gamecock fans smile this season Keep abreas 0 Subscri BEING MAKE APPOIN ROOI RUSI "flail Alumni, t of what's happening n your campus be to The Gamecock 16 1 IEEE YOUR T MENT fl. 312