C Rodney Hudson Florida State
 

Height: 6-2 3/8
Weight: 299
Speed: 5.24
Arm: 32 1/2
Hand: 9 3/8
Wingspan: 76 1/2
Birthdate: 07/12/1989
Hometown: Mobile, AL
Grade: 5.50

http://www.nationalchamps.net/2009/s...ney_hudson.jpg

Notes: Two-way lineman as an Alabama prep. As a true freshman in 2007, started 10-of-13 games — nine at left guard and one at left tackle — and missed only five offensive assignments all season. Sprained the LCL in his right knee against Wake Forest and missed the next two games. Started all 13 games at left guard in ’08, recording 64 knockdowns and seven pins (team highs). Also took home team awards for leadership on offense and the sophomore academic honor. Started 11 games at left guard in ’09 — sprained his right MCL against Wake Forest and missed the final two games in November. Made all 14 starts at left guard in ’10. Team captain. Was named the Seminoles’ Offensive MVP as a senior.

Positives: Very athletic and can move his feet, pull, trap and work in space. Knows how to work his hips on the edge and seal off defenders. Is patient in pass protection, sets strong and can shock with his punch. Very strong-handed. Outstanding technician. Wins with quickness and balance —is seldom on the ground. Plays with a good wide base and can anchor. Excellent work habits and football intelligence — understands positioning and leverage and seldom makes mental mistakes. Is the first in the building and the last to leave and will hold teammates accountable and set the right example — tireless in his pursuits and will not be outworked. Has perfectionist tendencies. Outstanding character and intangibles. Regularly took snaps and practiced at center.

Negatives: Not naturally big and does not have a frame to support much more than 300 pounds (played closer to 275 at the direction of OL coach Rick Trickett). Struggles to handle massive space-eaters head up one-on-one. Cannot recreate the line of scrimmage or generate any push. Tends to play too straight-legged and lock his knees. Injury history is very spotted and could always struggle to stay healthy in the pros.

Summary: Technically sound, patient zone blocker who started four years at guard but projects best to center in the pros. Has been a polarizing talent to discuss in war rooms because his lack of size does not fit many schemes. Would blend in well on offensive lines in Tennessee, Green Bay, Houston and Indianapolis. Will start for a very long time and become a solid pro for the right team.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

REACH

Chop blocking our way to another rushing title.

All the leg injuries for a guy that relies on quicks concern me.

Versatile player - can start at guard or center:

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Latest News
04/04/2011 - Top offensive linemen: 1. Rodney Hudson, Florida State, 6-2, 299, 2, Hudson became the 11th player in ACC history to repeat as the Jacobs Blocking Trophy winner -- given to the league's best offensive lineman -- as a senior. He has All-American credentials and dominated in the Seminoles' wide-open offense because of his athleticism and quickness. He's not tall or broad enough to play tackle long-term in the NFL and his experience at center might attract teams that operate a zone-based blocking scheme. He can play any of the three inside spots, where his shorter arms might give scouts pause despite consistent technique and much better power than most players his size. - Jeff Reynolds, The Sports Xchange

Full Rodney Hudson News Wire
Overview
Hudson entered his senior season having already earned All-American honors, the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the ACC's best offensive lineman and a streak of effectiveness (1.5 sacks allowed, one penalty received in 34 starts) that rivaled any player at his position in the country.

Hudson was just as good as a senior, drawing one flag all season and becoming just the 11th player in ACC history to win his second Jacobs' Blocking Trophy.

Despite his hype, Hudson might not be the NFL prospect that his All-American career at Florida State would seem to forecast. At only 6-3, 285 pounds, Hudson is well-suited to Florida State's wide-open offense, which places a premium on athletic and quick offensive linemen, rather than blockers with size and/or strength. Hudson's limited frame might mean he'll be asked to move inside to center. Hudson has experience at center if he is asked to make the transition. His 47 career starts for the Seminoles all came at guard, but Hudson did see time at center and even left tackle. With his agility, balance and intelligence, he's capable of handling any of the three interior positions and could be a star if placed into a zone-blocking offense.

Analysis
Pass blocking: Quick out of his stance. Good lateral agility to remain squarely in front of his assignment. Strong, active hands to latch on and ride the defender. Despite his natural leverage advantage, has a tendency to bend at the waist and lean into defenders. Senses when his opponent is leaning and has the leverage and core strength to turn and knock him to the ground. Good, not great agility for the quick cut-block. Cognizant, aggressive blocker that quickly reacts to stunts. Doesn't back down from a fight against much bigger defenders.

Run blocking: Provides an initial pop at the line of scrimmage, but doesn't have the mass or power to knock NFL defenders off the ball. Relies on his quickness and technique to turn and seal off defenders from the hole. Works hard to sustain. Isn't incredibly fluid getting to and blocking at the second level.

Pulling/trapping: Good trap blocker. Has a burst off the snap. Good discipline to allow the defender inside sufficiently, before turning and controlling him for the effective trap. Good initial quickness off the snap to get out and pull. Has good straight-line speed to lead the back, but struggles re-directing in the open field. Only average body control and balance when blocking on the move. Spends too much time on the ground.

Initial Quickness: One of his better attributes. Good initial quickness off the snap to control bigger, stronger defenders. Can match the defender in pass protection, showing good lateral agility and balance, as well as the active, strong hands to latch on and sustain. Relies on his quickness and good technique to be effective in the running game. Consistently beats his opponent to the spot as an inline blocker, though his lack of power and size allows him only a few seconds before he loses control of his assignment.

Downfield: Gets to the second level quickly, but doesn't possess elite balance to re-direct. Will lunge when working in space, resulting in some impressive knockdown blocks, but also in a few whiffs. To his credit, is never on the ground for very long. Plays to and sometimes through the whistle, flashing a nasty demeanor. Hustles downfield.

Intangibles: Highly respected by coaches, teammates and fans. Had 47 career starts. Highly touted prep prospect signed with FSU over Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss, West Virginia and South Florida among others.

2010 Season
A unanimous first team All-American in 2010, Hudson also landed on the first team All-ACC squad for the third straight year and is just the seventh player in league history to earn All-ACC honors all four years of his career. The offensive guard is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Jacobs Blocking Trophy (2009, 2010), becoming just the 11th player in ACC history to claim that award twice. Hudson was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy this season and was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week twice this season and eight times in his career, tying for the most in league history. In his four years at Florida State Hudson started 47 games and this year graded out at 87 percent with 44 knockdown blocks. He was only penalized once in 832 offensive snaps this season. Hudson is a four-year starter for the Seminoles and the most decorated offensive linemen in ACC history.

2009 Season
Posted team-high season average grade of 88 over 11 starts after missing final two games with knee sprain … injury ended streak of 28 consecutive starts … returned to the starting lineup in the Gator Bowl as the Seminoles rolled up 415 total yards in the win over West Virginia..strung together four consecutive games with grades of 90 or higher, including a pair of 97s against ACC champion Georgia Tech and runner-up Clemson … did not allow a sack or quarterback pressure all season … penalized only twice and charged with four missed assignments on year.

2008 Season
One of the top offensive guards in America in just his second season in Tallahassee … an ACSMA/AP All-ACC first team selection … named first team All-ACC by Rivals.com and Phil Steele … a three-time ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Hudson garnered that honor more than any other offensive lineman in the ACC … has garnered an ACC Player of the Week honor four times in his first two seasons at FSU … named a Rivals mid-season All-American … winner of the leadership award for the offense at the team award dinner … also the sophomore class academic award winner for the offense … received the top overall grade on the offensive line five times … graded out second on the line four other times giving him a top two grade in nine of 13 games.

Received the top grade overall or in run or pass blocking 16 times as a sophomore … ranked as the team's best run blocker or pass blocker 11 times … led the team with seven pins and 64 knockdowns … missed just eight assignments … the lowest number on the team missing just one assignment per 112 plays … led all linemen in plays with 893 … whistled for the first penalty of his career (false start) versus Virginia Tech … a streak that covered 1,024 snaps and 20 games from his true freshman season … also went sixteen games between allowing a sack … allowed a sack in the first start of his true freshman season in 2007 versus Clemson (9/3) and then allowed a sack versus Virginia Tech on October 25, 2008 … has played center once and also was slated to start at tackle in the pre-season before youth along the line forced him back to his most dominant position.

2007 Season
The Seminoles' top offensive lineman in 2007 … named a first team freshman All-American by College Football News, an AON/FWAA Freshman All-American and an honorable mention freshman All-American by The Sporting News … an All-ACC second team selection, a Phil Steele All-ACC third team pick and an All-ACC freshman team selection by The Sporting News and Rivals … named to the Miami Herald All-Florida Team … true freshman from Mobile, AL started the first game of the season but didn't fully settle into a starting role until the Alabama game … in the final eight games of the season he graded out either first or second in all of those games … had the best grade on the team six times (Alabama, Wake, BC, Maryland, Florida and Kentucky) … posted a grade of 80% or better in four of his final eight games including an astonishing grade of 89% versus Florida and an 85% in the Music City Bowl … a right guard, who started at tackle versus Kentucky, missed only five assignments all season, allowed only one sack and he had 14 knockdowns in the last five games … the freshman was not flagged for a penalty all season and he graded out at 80% or better in passing situations seven times in his final eight games.

I don't know whether this guy is worth the pick ... Pioli must think so ... however, I like this whole "can pull, trap and work in space" idea. A lot.

If we can rebuild the line sufficiently to pull and open up the edges, we will be badass so long as Charles gets enough carries.

FAX

Not really Feom what Im seeing most everyone is saying its a good pick Also he was picked to go in the 2nd round

Sounds like a younger better Casey Wigemann.

Agreed. Everything I've read has said 2nd round.

If he doesn't go to the HOF, Pioli should be fired.

Exactly what I was thinking. Sounds taylor made for what we do.

He may be the best C prospect in the draft, so I'm ok with it. It's not a sexy pick, but it works.

Is that you, Mellinger?

I kinda figure that it's a little early to project the NFL careers of guys who have been in the league for less than a few hours. Probably just me ... I'm conservative that way.

FAX

He'll be doing "Slim 4 Life" commercials in KC before you know it.
Just like Grunhard!