Endowed Scholarship Story: Josh Hanson
http://www.goviks.com/news/2016/7/21/football-endowed-scholarship-story-josh-hanson.aspx
When tackle Josh Hanson graduates, maybe as early as next winter term, he sees his legacy as having been a consummate team player.
"My legacy will be what I contributed to my teammates," said the 6-7, 275-pound senior from Tenino, WA and Tumwater High School. Hanson is co-recipient of the 2016-17 Garrison Athletic Scholarship.
A starting role has eluded Hanson, but he successfully backed up at left and right tackle last season and has played on special teams. He is proud to have "played where I was needed."
Over the year, Hanson felt he got better at protecting the quarterback. "My footwork got better. I did lots of drills and spent a lot of time in the weight room," he said.
"Josh didn't start, but he worked hard and helped out and he really knows the playbook. When he gives advice, the guys listen to him," said offensive line coach AC Patterson.
Weight has been an issue.
Hanson and Patterson would both like to see him put additional pounds on his big frame, but he's finding it difficult. "I weight about 275 and I'd like to be at 290, but that's really hard. You do that with food and in the weight room," Hanson said.
His highlight last year was the team's second win against an FBS team, a 66-7 drubbing of North Texas in Denton, TX. He took over at left guard following an injury. While he was playing "two of our running backs had break-out runs. I was part of helping that happen. It was a great feeling. Normally, you don't have time to think about these things during games, but when there were 10 touchdowns, there was more time to reflect."
Besides graduating (he's carrying a 3.8 cumulative GPA and has received Academic All-Big Sky honors), his football goal next season is "to help bring the team together. I'm a senior this year, so I want to be more of a leader. That means being vocal, developing character…if I ask someone to do something, being willing to be there with them."
That's a role Patterson is eager to see Hanson take on.
As with every player, Patterson said Hanson has improvement areas to work on. "He needs to work on his technique, especially on pass protection. If he can gain weight and get stronger, that'll be his biggest areas of improvement. But, as a senior, I expect him to challenge for a starting position. I expect him to be large for us and to help us win games." Patterson said.
And that kind of contribution is exactly what Hanson would like his legacy to the Portland State football team to be.
http://www.goviks.com/news/2016/7/21/football-endowed-scholarship-story-josh-hanson.aspx
When tackle Josh Hanson graduates, maybe as early as next winter term, he sees his legacy as having been a consummate team player.
"My legacy will be what I contributed to my teammates," said the 6-7, 275-pound senior from Tenino, WA and Tumwater High School. Hanson is co-recipient of the 2016-17 Garrison Athletic Scholarship.
A starting role has eluded Hanson, but he successfully backed up at left and right tackle last season and has played on special teams. He is proud to have "played where I was needed."
Over the year, Hanson felt he got better at protecting the quarterback. "My footwork got better. I did lots of drills and spent a lot of time in the weight room," he said.
"Josh didn't start, but he worked hard and helped out and he really knows the playbook. When he gives advice, the guys listen to him," said offensive line coach AC Patterson.
Weight has been an issue.
Hanson and Patterson would both like to see him put additional pounds on his big frame, but he's finding it difficult. "I weight about 275 and I'd like to be at 290, but that's really hard. You do that with food and in the weight room," Hanson said.
His highlight last year was the team's second win against an FBS team, a 66-7 drubbing of North Texas in Denton, TX. He took over at left guard following an injury. While he was playing "two of our running backs had break-out runs. I was part of helping that happen. It was a great feeling. Normally, you don't have time to think about these things during games, but when there were 10 touchdowns, there was more time to reflect."
Besides graduating (he's carrying a 3.8 cumulative GPA and has received Academic All-Big Sky honors), his football goal next season is "to help bring the team together. I'm a senior this year, so I want to be more of a leader. That means being vocal, developing character…if I ask someone to do something, being willing to be there with them."
That's a role Patterson is eager to see Hanson take on.
As with every player, Patterson said Hanson has improvement areas to work on. "He needs to work on his technique, especially on pass protection. If he can gain weight and get stronger, that'll be his biggest areas of improvement. But, as a senior, I expect him to challenge for a starting position. I expect him to be large for us and to help us win games." Patterson said.
And that kind of contribution is exactly what Hanson would like his legacy to the Portland State football team to be.
