Colorado State's Preston Hodges and Blake Nowland no longer with program

Colorado State has lost two more players from its football team as Preston Hodges and Blake Nowland are no longer on the CSU roster. Nowland left in the spring and Hodges had become academically ineligible, according to Mike Brohard, of the Loveland Reporter Herald.

It has since been confirmed by  CSU assistant athletic director for communications Paul Kirk that the duo is no longer on the team.

Nowland had missed all of last year with a broken leg. This leads one to think that him leaving has to be injury related. The offensive line position has the depth to cover as Nowland was a reserve and not a starter.

The dismissal of Hodges deals a big blow to an already depleted secondary. With Devron Davis being granted his release for family reasons and Hodges was expected to have a big impact in the secondary as the starting nickel back. Hodges had started 28 games over the last three years. The dismissal of Hodges means the underclassmen and JUCO incomers will have to be ready to go sooner than expected.

The Rams roster now has 103, 2 below the maximum for the offseason. CSU did pick up two more players. One, Paul Thurston, OL transfer from Nebraska, helps cover the loss of Nowland. The second, JUCO LB Anthony Giusti, helps provide depth for the core of the CSU defense.