UNIVERSITY PARK — SMU wide receiver Jordan Hudson grew up a Cowboys fan. That’s held true for the Garland High School alum.
“For now,” he said, alluding to the obvious.
NFL fanhood can be compromised by employment with another franchise. It’s a reality that Hudson is facing now that he’s a month away from the NFL draft. But what if he didn’t have to give up his fanhood?
The Cowboys, despite having one of the best receiving tandems in the NFL, could select a wide receiver in April’s draft. That’s especially true later in the draft. That’s an area where Hudson and his fellow Mustangs wide receiver, Romello Brinson, could be selected.
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The Cowboys had a chance to watch both on Monday. Dallas had three representatives at SMU’s Pro Day, including offensive assistant coach Ken Dorsey. Both ran routes and caught passes from their former SMU quarterback Preston Stone, who threw at SMU’s Pro Day in addition to competing at Northwestern’s Pro Day. Hudson was reportedly clocked at running a 40-yard dash under 4.5 seconds.
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Hudson confirmed that he and Brinson were scheduled to have dinner with Cowboys representatives on Monday night. Hudson said he also has a dinner scheduled with the Cowboys on March 30.
The Cowboys are not the only ones showing interest in Hudson. He said he’s also met with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, among others.
There’s a reason for the intrigue. Hudson was a highly recruited receiver coming out of Garland. He spent his first season at TCU, where he had three touchdown catches as a true freshman. He then spent his next three years at SMU. This past season was not only Hudson’s best season, but his shortest. Hudson was hurt on the first play of the season, causing him to miss three games with an elbow injury. He made up for lost time, however, finishing with 61 catches for 766 yards and six touchdowns. His two biggest games came against two of the best teams in the country: he had 131 yards receiving in wins over both Clemson and Miami, the national champion runner-up.
Hudson, a third-team All-ACC selection, believes his performance this season showed his perseverance.
“They told me I was going to be out four weeks; I came back in three,” said Hudson, who finished with 21 touchdown catches in four seasons. “It just shows them that I’m a dog and I know how to bounce back.”
Hudson, a 6-foot-1 receiver, also believes he can be a versatile receiver at the next level. He’s able and willing to play outside and inside.
“I’m going to be the best blocker on your team,” Hudson said, pointing out something else he brings to NFL teams.
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While the Cowboys might not be on the hunt for receivers early in the draft, it’s not out of the question they could draft one later. They lost former third round pick Jalen Tolbert in free agency. They also have KaVontae Turpin, Jonathan Mingo and Ryan Flournoy to go with their star tandem of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who was franchise-tagged this offseason.
A versatile receiver willing to block could be something that appeals to the Cowboys later in the draft or in the first wave of undrafted free agency. Hudson fits the bill, and that’s not even including his already-established Cowboys fanhood.
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