Tennessee’s coaches aren’t pursuing a ton of quarterbacks in the 2019 class right now. The 2019 crop of quarterbacks is perceived as a bit weaker than normal overall, and the Vols aren’t necessarily high on too many of the uncommitted QBs they’re still going after.
But the 2020 recruiting class is a different story, and the Vols’ coaches continue to look at a number of options in that class. And they just put out an offer to an intriguing quarterback in that class on Tuesday night.
Blessed to receive an offer from The University of Tennessee! #GoVols pic.twitter.com/Q21UTxl2dH
— Hudson Card (@Hcard7) May 9, 2018
Hudson Card is a four-star dual-threat quarterback/athlete in the 2020 class out of Austin, Texas. He tweeted out Tuesday night that he had picked up an offer from Tennessee, adding that offer to an already pretty long list of offers.
According to 247Sports, Card is the No. 168 overall player and the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback in the class as well. He already holds offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State, Michigan, Texas, and many others.
But what makes Card so intriguing? He’s already a four-star and hasn’t been the full-time starter for Lake Travis High School yet. And he may even have a higher ceiling at wide receiver than quarterback if he chooses that route.
The 6-foot-2, 167 pound athlete backed up four-star class of 2018 quarterback Matthew Baldwin this past season. Baldwin has since signed with Ohio State, but he got injured on the first play of the Texas 6A State Championship Game last season. Card filled in for him and completed 21 of his 32 passes for a touchdown and three interceptions while also running for 73 yards and a score on 16 carries during the Cavaliers’ 35-33 loss.
Card played quarterback more than just that one game, but he spent more time at receiver during his sophomore season. But the potential is definitely there for Card as a QB.
Though he’s still a little raw at quarterback, Card has undeniable skill and potential at the position. He can throw darts and has a solid deep pass too. He’s live in the pocket and can escape pressure very well. He can also tuck it and run, and he’s very agile and quick. As a receiver, he uses that speed to blow past defenders on routes. Physicality isn’t an issue for him as a pass catcher either, and he takes that toughness to the quarterback position too.
As a sophomore, Card completed 57 of his 84 passes for 597 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions according to MaxPreps. He also ran for 491 yards and six touchdowns on just 64 carries, and he caught 69 passes for 1,137 yards and 13 scores as a receiver.
Lake Travis has put out a ton of quarterbacks throughout the years. They’ve produced several FBS starting quarterbacks, and the most famous of those has been Baker Mayfield, the former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback for Oklahoma and recent No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Card’s development as a quarterback will be interesting to watch. He’s played quarterback up until joining Lake Travis, but he’s found success at receiver too. His heart seems set on playing quarterback, though, so expect to see him work hard on his craft there and continue to try and improve as a signal caller.
