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If there is a visible reminder of the previous regime of football still left, it is today’s player.
Garrett Hudson – Sr.
Tallahassee, FL (North Florida Christian)
6’2”, 245 pounds
Linebacker
2017 Projection: Contributor at Linebacker and on Special Teams
I think it is hard to be a guy like Garrett Hudson. He came to Purdue in 2013 as a walk-on because his dad, Greg, was hired from Florida State to be Purdue’s defensive coordinator. He redshirted for a year, then became a regular player in 2014. By 2015 he was starting at middle linebacker once Ja’Whaun Bentley went down with a torn ACL. He finished with 32 tackles, a sack, and had a fumble recovery against Nebraska that he nearly returned for a touchdown.
Then his dad got fired.
Instead of leaving the program Garrett has stayed on, where he has provided valuable depth. He has also played on special teams. I have to give him credit for staying on after his dad was let go, because that has to be a rough family dynamic. I don’t even think his dad was that bad, but the Shoopfense often had the defense more than gassed by the 4th quarter. This season Hudson will likely be a backup linebacker and still play on special teams. He has played in 28 games with 3 starts and 34 total tackles, so he has experience that will be welcomed.