The Growing Buzz about New Zealand's Will Hodgeman

A Year ago in the Spring of 2006 I got a call from a guy far away with a thick accent that said he was the dad of a young kid that was really something special. He was from New Zealand of all places. Ok so we talked about the usual. He was 15, 6'5" and 255 pounds... big for sure. The dad, Geoff, told me how young Will played on a team with his mates in New Zealand where there is a lot of Samoan and Fijian blood. He said that he was raw but that he was playing on a team with young men up to age 20-21. He was also the national champion in Judo. Well now you know my ears perk up because that can be a great combination for a linemen as it teaches balance and strength and great discipline.

So he wants to know if Will can come and stay with us and spend a week or so with us at the Oregon Derby Camps. So I say yes...kind of... "let me get back to you" was what I said. Brian and I talked and we agreed that we could spread the love and teachings and have him come up! So a few months later after hearing all about him from his pops we got a look. Well Will is deceptively heavy. he appears thin up top but no doubt those size 16's had some huge stumps on them. Will is 15 in this picture and is at least 2 inches above Brian who is still 6'2.5" anyway. So we teach him and he is raw for sure but he listens and learns fast. His feet are good and get off the ball really well. By the end of the week he is really improved and gets a Most Improved Camp Award. My Son Konner Knudsen tells me that Will's Punch on the O'line Pass Blocking Drills is awesome. "He stoned me so hard dad my ribs have bruisers in the shape of his palm!" There is that Judo Training!

Will went on to compete at the All Poly Combine in Utah and play at Hunter High School in Utah for a short stint of the 2006 season and earned a starting spot amongst some pretty tough kids. The coaches were sad to see him leave after his time ran out in Utah. But during our camp we introduced Will to Chris Fetters of Scout.com and Chris likes what he saw. This past month in Jan. 2006 Chris got Will invited to the Army All American Combine and he did very well and impressed a lot of Coaches in the one on one drills. By the way Will is now 290 pounds and is weight training almost every day. Next year Will is going to be a Junior and will likely come to Oregon as an exchange student. if he come he will no doubt find a great fit as a Student and an athlete. Oregon State University is now looking at him.

Will is a superb student, trains hard, loves to eat American Food, and is very respectful. But he does like to hit and enjoys finishing blocks. The fact that his dad reached out, that we were able to help, and that he got exposure for all of his attributes will help him to have success in HS and beyond. This as of now is a story in Mid Stream and we do not know the outcome but fair to say there are good examples here for parents and players alike. Be active, Network, train, learn from the best, use the gifts you have. Will is on a path that has been shaped by him, his family, and the network of people around him. If he continues on this road it will lead him where he wants to go and that is going to be the greatest reward for those that helped along the way! Best of Luck Will!