Talking Offseason Grind and Recruiting with 4-Star 2023 North Carolina QB Tad Hudson
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
There may not be a quarterback throughout the country in the 2023 recruiting class college scouts are more excited to see in action this season ahead of Tad Hudson. The 6-3.5, 218-pound, gunslinger was a full-time starter for William Amos Hough’s junior varsity squad appearing in five game with one start for the varsity. Playing with the Huskies varsity squad, Hudson completed 34 passes for 578 yards with eight scores posted. The abilities coupled with the upside has 14 offers on the table for the four-star recruit.
With North Carolina’s extended offseason going until March 2021, Hudson took a break from his workout routine for an RNG interview.
Interview
Tad, how is your offseason leading into your sophomore season with the Huskies going?
Pretty well. We just started practices. Right now, we are going twice a week. We are not back to full, but everything is going pretty well.
What style of offense are you guys executing in 2020?
We are running a spread this year with more passing. We will throw it around and see what we can do.
I like it. The reader won’t know the confidence in your voice, but I like how you delivered that. Last season, how were defenses trying to line up against you guys?
I was seeing Cover 4 and 2. In our last game against Richmond (playoffs), they knew I could throw it. I was not supposed to be the starter, I came in expecting Cover 3. In the first quarter I had a touchdown pass and was throwing it around pretty well and then they went to a Cover 4.
How has the varsity experience from last season helped you this offseason prepare for the coming schedule?
That experience was good for me. It helped me develop chemistry with the guys, I saw defenses, and gained more experience. Getting the time in, I saw the speed of the game which is way different that JV.
Did you also play JV last season?
Yes. I was on JV full-time and half and half on varsity. I filled in for five games. In our last game I started and did well.
In which ways are you seeing your game improve with the work put in this offseason?
My arm strength and footwork are way better. I am growing into my size and I am a lot stronger now. My mental part has come along, I have been watching a lot of film this offseason.
Going deeper on this topic, what have you been working on with your technique?
I work with a QB coach, Anthony Boone. We’ve been working on my footwork. He is not on the arm motion as much as the footwork. This offseason it has been all fundamentals and footwork.
With the spread offense, which routes are your receivers running this season?
We have everything, slants, quick outs, posts, comebacks, flood concepts – everything.
Let’s talk recruiting. College coaches are eagerly awaiting seeing you in action this season. Still, there have been a lot of offers extended to you. How many do you have?
Fourteen.
Which programs were the last couple to offer?
South Carolina and Tennessee.
Hudson’s Offer Sheet: Arkansas, Auburn, Charlotte, Kentucky, Michigan State, NC State, North Carolina, South Carolina, Syracuse, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Western Kentucky
That you know of, which schools are watching your progress?
Right now, I am talking to Michigan once a week and I have talked to Georgia a couple of times. I am not calling coaches as much; I have been working on my grind over the quarantine.
When visits are allowed again in 2021, are there any schools on your list?
Yes. I was supposed to go to a lot of schools before the quarantine. I am trying to get to as many schools as I can. So far, I have been to UNC (North Carolina), South Carolina, and NC State. I plan on going back to all three. I want to see Texas badly. It seems like they have a cool environment. I’d also like to see Georgia and Bama.
Tad, thanks for your time today. Keep up the hard work this offseason until we talk again.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Hudson family; Tad Hudson