The four-star Class of 2020 defensive end from St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., returned to Tennessee on Saturday to attend the Vols’ junior day, and while he said he currently doesn’t have a list of favorites, “they’d be at the top with a few other schools” if he did. “(Saturday) was great,” said Hudgins, who’s ranked the No. 297 overall prospect and No. 12 strongside defensive end in the 2020 class, according to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite. “Best fan base and atmosphere I’ve been around so far. “Also got to see campus a bit more and talk to more coaches.”
After making two trips to Knoxville, the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Hudgins said he’s already planning to visit Tennessee again in the coming months. “I know I’ll be back down for sure,” he said. “I don’t really have top teams right now, but if I did, they’d be at the top with a few other schools. I love the coaches and atmosphere, and I’m looking forward to coming back.”
“I first saw on social media,” he said. “But during the basketball game they reached a new record in the arena of 22,000. That’s not normal for a basketball game. “It was absolutely roaring in there. Can only imagine what it’s like at a football game.”
The visit also allowed him to explore some of Tennessee’s facilities and spend plenty of time with defensive line coach
Tracy Rocker, who’s serving as his primary recruiter for the Vols. Hudgins said he “mainly stuck (with) Coach Rocker most of the time,” and Tennessee again showed plenty of interest in him despite not having a clear vision of exactly which position he might play in college. “I can play four-, five-, six-technique end,” Hudgins said. “Nobody knows how I’m going to end up growing, though.”
More than a dozen schools, including LSU, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Ole Miss, Purdue and Vanderbilt, already have extended offers to him. For now, Hudgins isn’t rushing to decide on a college, and he’s not ready to formally name any top choices. But he admitted he’s intrigued by the opportunity that could await him at Tennessee — specifically, “being able to be the first class that could bring a national championship back to Tennessee. (The Class of) 2020 is special and we could do it,” he said.