But once you found him, you probably lost sight of him again. Hodges lingered at the back of the line during drills and often eased up when he was in. Eventually, you probably realized why.

During an 11-on-11 drill, Hodges slowly drifted from standing opposite a slot receiver towards his traditional home along the line of scrimmage before the snap of the ball. You could briefly see the kinetic energy welling up in his shuffling legs, the kind that shows up before Hodges does something only Hodges does.

But then you heard, and you were made aware.

“Easy Zach,” a coach yelled out just before the ball was snapped. “Easy. Easy.”

The coach also saw and knew, so he stopped Hodges unlike you had seen Hodges stopped before.

Practice like you play, football coaches tell most players. But Hodges is not most players.

“He doesn’t always really bring it because, put quite simply, we tell him against some guys you just can’t do that,” Murphy said. “They are either going to get hurt or they are going to get so embarrassed that we limit his reps.”

The restraints help Hodges too. After he dealt with a strained groin last year, the coaching staff is making sure his intensity does not lead to another injury before the season starts.

Hodges ended up having to leave practice early, but you might not have noticed. The real Zach Hodges was never there to begin with.

The drab white tape he wore was evidence of that. He will save the real stuff for game day.

Practice makes perfect, they say. But if you already can play like Hodges, maybe it is better not to risk it.

Don’t believe that?

Well, you will see.

—Staff writer Jacob D. H. Feldman can be reached at jacob.feldman@thecrimson.com. Follow him on Twitter @jacobfeldman4.