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Tyler Hudson Scouting Report | Louisville WR | 2023 NFL Draft

Tyler Hudson Scouting Report: The former UCA transfer to Louisville had a huge season dropping zero passes all year!

Player Bio

Tyler Hudson’s journey to the 2023 NFL Draft began as a standout three-sport athlete at Klein Oak High School in Spring, TX. Participating in football, basketball, and track & field, Hudson excelled in all three sports but made his greatest impact on the football field. Before Hudson’s senior year began in the Fall of 2018, he had already garnered several scholarships from high-academic division one programs such as Rice, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, and Cornell. As a senior, Hudson was Klein Oak’s most productive receiver, accumulating 79 receptions, 1089 yards, and 13 touchdowns, and was named to Houston’s First-Team All-District team in 2018.

Following an exceptional season on the basketball court, where Hudson showcased his athletic ability with dunks like this, Hudson signed his letter of intent to play football at the University of Central Arkansas.

As a true freshman in 2019, Hudson became an impact player early in his Central Arkansas career. Appearing in 13 games for the Bears, Hunter racked up 55 receptions, 975 yards, and 12 touchdowns, earning him Southland Conference Freshman of the Year honors and a spot on Hero Sports’ Freshman All-American list.

In a nine-game season in 2020, Hudson would have another dominant year as the Bears’ biggest offensive weapon. As a sophomore, Hudson led the Bears in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, finishing the season with 50 receptions, 805 yards, and seven touchdowns. Hudson also served as the Bears’ primary punt returner, averaging 13.2 yards per return, and had a 57-yard punt return touchdown against Missouri State. After the season, Hudson was named a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive performer in FCS football. Hudson also earned first-team All-Southland honors and was named the Offensive Player of the Year in the Southland Conference.

In Hudson’s final season at Central Arkansas, he would go on to have his best statistical season in his three-year stint with the Bears. In Central Arkansas’ first season as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, Hudson cemented his place as the league’s top receiver, posting 62 receptions, 1242 yards, and eight touchdowns on the season. For the second year in a row, Hudson earned first-team all-conference honors. He also received 2021 FCS All-American honors from Athlon Sports.

After the 2021 season, Hudson announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, leaving Central Arkansas as the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards. Shortly after entering the portal, Hudson found his new home at the University of Louisville, where he would spend fourth and final season playing under Head Coach Scott Satterfield.

In his lone season at Louisville, Hudson was the Cardinals’ most productive receiver, leading the team in receptions and receiving yards during the 2022 season. Playing at the Power Five level for the first time in his career, Hudson held his own against some of the best defensive backs in the nation. During his senior campaign, Hudson recorded 69 receptions, 1034 yards, and two touchdowns. With dominant performances against Syracuse, Virginia, and Clemson – where he totaled over 7+ receptions and 100+ yards in each game – Hudson earned second-team All-ACC honors to round out his final season at the collegiate level. 

Scouting Report

With elite ball skills, polished route running ability, and excellent production at the FBS and FCS levels, Tyler Hudson is one of the most complete receivers in the 2023 NFL Draft Class.

At 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, with 33-inch arms and a 77-inch wingspan, Hudson possesses great size with a well-developed, athletic frame for the receiver position. He has a flexible, explosive lower half that provides great leaping ability and quickness out of breaks. He uses formidable upper-body strength to help maintain a physical advantage at the top of his route or at the catch point.

As a pass-catcher, Hudson combines exceptional ball skills, body control, play strength, and leaping ability to create explosive plays in the passing game. Hudson is physical at the catch point and uses his strong build, long arms, and superb athleticism to beat out defenders for contested catches. Hudson is an excellent hands catcher who understands the importance of catching the ball at its highest point. He tracks deep balls well and displays an innate ability to adjust to under-thrown passes to the boundary.

Hudson is amongst one of the cleanest route runners in the class. Hudson boasts a diverse route tree and can efficiently operate as an outside receiver or in the slot. Hudson’s ability to create separation at the top of his route makes his route-running ability so dangerous against man coverage. Due to Hudson’s fluid lower half and hip flexibility, he can quickly transition in and out of his breaks. In addition to his stop-start ability and physical strength, Hudson’s initial burst and acceleration give him the necessary cushion to reel in tough catches against tight-man coverage.

Hudson possesses proficient straight-line, top-end speed, and acceleration, enabling to get open down the field. In combination with his  speed and acceleration, Hudson utilizes his sneaky twitch and physical running style to compete for yards after the catch. He has a quick first step with the ball in his hands and has an under-appreciated make-you-miss ability.

Whether he played at the FBS or FCS level, Hudson proved himself as a versatile wideout who could be a reliable possession receiver and an explosive playmaker with the ball in his hands. Hudson’s high-level athleticism, ball skills, route running ability, and production will serve him well in the NFL, as he should compete for valuable playing time early in his professional career.

Draft Projection

Mid to Late 4th

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