Though he did not see much action as a freshman, Hoeffel became a varsity member in 1909, earning a letter. "Too small to capture a backfield spot at Wisconsin but too good to be ignored," he became an end. "Three physical qualities made him a great player," wrote Jack Rudolph of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "He was fast, a deadly tackler, and he had a sense of timing that enabled him to get the jump on every play," the Press-Gazette reported.
