BYU football: OL Tristen Hoge granted extra year of eligibility

Despite losing its fourth-straight game, BYU football did get some good news last week. Offensive lineman Tristen Hoge has been granted another year of eligibility.

Good news and BYU football haven’t really been uttered in the same sentence in 2017. The Cougars have been plagued by injuries and poor play, and are in danger of beginning 1-6.

But, finally, BYU football got some good news.

Former four-star center recruit and Notre Dame transfer Tristen Hoge has been granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA.

While Hoge can’t suit up in 2017, it’s still great to have him in Provo for an extra season. He’s likely the heir-apparent to Tejan Koroma at center, but he’s versatile enough to play either guard spot, too.

Next season, Hoge will be a redshirt sophomore and will have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Just how good is Hoge? He was rated the best center recruit in the nation across the board, and had offers from the cream of the college football crop.

Besides Notre Dame, he had scholarship offers on the table from the likes of Washington, Florida, LSU, Stanford and many more.

He’s the kind of offensive linemen that BYU football fans can get genuinely excited for. He’s athletic, plays with nastiness inside and will be an excellent replacement for Koroma.

With another tough schedule coming in 2018, Hoge will be a huge piece to the Cougars. Regardless of where he ends up playing, he’ll be plowing open holes for Ula Tolutau and other Cougar backs.

Hoge hadn’t played a ton at Notre Dame, but during his time in South Bend he was the Fighting Irish’s Scout Team Player of the Year.

Even with the loss of Koroma, the idea of having Thomas Shoaf, Kieffer Longson and Hoge anchoring the offensive line next season is an appealing one.