Prospect Report: Caden Hofstad – Grand Rapids (2021)

Confidence is a huge part of competitive athletics. If players do not have it, they react slower, question themselves, and usually do not play near their potential. When they do have confidence, things that would have been a problem without confidence – like size – suddenly all but disappear. Such was the case for Grand Rapids’ running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="18148" first="Caden" last="Hofstad"]</strong>. "I didn’t start at running back as a sophomore, so I took it upon myself to win a starting spot as a junior," Hofstad said. "I gained confidence. As a sophomore, we were all hyped up for the season, and then in the first game, I got lit up by Mora. I was taking a kickoff back, and some guy lit me up and gave me a concussion. That kind of shellshocked me for the rest of the season. I was tentative after that." His lack of confidence would spill over to the defensive side of the ball. "I played safety sophomore year on defense. It was a rough year," Hofstad admitted. "I struggled. In my junior year, I played with more confidence and didn’t worry about getting lit up. I was used to playing against the bigger kids." Playing against bigger kids is a big issue for Hofstad. "I am 5’4" and 155 pounds and am a shifty guy," Hofstad – who played running back as a junior - said. "I don’t have the power to run many people over, so I have to make my moves, anticipate what the defenders are going to do, and read my blockers. I have to make my move before they hit me." With his size, Hofstad was usually used outside the tackles. "I was more of a wing-back. We have a triple-option system, so I would usually run to the outside and use my speed. I play a little bit on defense – just when we go two high safeties. I return kicks and punts. I had three special teams’ touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns." His eleven touchdowns helped the Thunderhawks rebound from a tough year in 2018 to a six-win season last fall. "We had no clue how this year was going to go," Hofstad explained. "Last year we won one game, and then we had a new coaching staff. We had a lot of juniors (in 2019), so next year is looking good. We started eight juniors. This is a team that has grown up together, and we have a lot of fight in us." Part of their success was based on good, old-fashioned football theory. "We ran the ball," the two-year starter explained. "If we didn’t turn the ball over, we were doing well. Defensively, we were good against the run. We have two good linebackers who can stuff the run." Since the football season ended, one of Hofstad’s focuses is critical to a defensive, running team. "I have been working on my ball security. I didn’t have any fumbles last year, but I want to make sure I keep the ball secure." During the winter, Hofstad – who likes to hunt for grouse and fish for walleye – changed his routine. "In the winter, I usually am on the Olympic lifting team. As a freshman and a sophomore, I took 2nd in my weight class at State. Last winter, I wanted to focus on running back drills and football training. I would lift three days a week. We do a lot of squats, clean and jerk, and snatch. I also did a lot of footwork." When COVID hit – other than not being able to compete in track where he would have run the 100 and the 200 – Hofstad did not change much. "I have an Olympic barbell in my house, so I was able to train like normal. Now we have team lifting sessions. We do a running and a lifting workout." When the season was postponed, Hofstad went on an emotional roller-coaster. "The first hour, I was really upset. We had a meeting with our coach after that, and he said, ’this was the best thing for us.’ We were going to get six games and no post-season, but in the spring, we have a chance for more games and playoffs." Recruiting started fast for Hofstad but quickly cooled. "I was initially contacted a lot, but it has calmed down quite a bit since then," Hofstad told prepredzonemn.com. "I think I have had eighteen DII and DIII schools contact me. I was asked to some junior days, but COVID screwed that up. I have gone to a couple virtual junior days. I think I am getting recruited as a special teams/slot receiver kind of thing." Recruiting may have calmed down for Hofstad, but he should be confident the interest in him will go up with another good season.