Three-star linebacker JaMarquis Hudson is coming home to Louisiana.
The Port Arthur Memorial (Texas) standout has flipped his commitment from Kansas to LSU, giving the Tigers another defensive addition to their recruiting class and continuing their momentum on the recruiting trail.
Hudson, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound linebacker with Louisiana roots, had been committed to the Jayhawks before LSU made a late push in his recruitment.
The Tigers offered Hudson following Port Arthur Memorial's loss to La Porte on October 9, and the relationship quickly developed into something more serious.
For Hudson, the opportunity to represent his home state and play for a program his family has supported for years played a significant role in his decision.
"My family, they've been big fans of the LSU Tigers because I'm originally from Louisiana, but I've been playing football in Texas my whole life," Hudson told TigerBait ahead of his visit to LSU on Thursday. "So getting the offer from them and them following my recruitment, it shows a lot.
"And I got a chance to stay home in my home state and play football. That's a big thing for me."
Although Hudson has spent his entire football career in Texas, his family has deep connections to south Louisiana as both of his parents are from St. Mary Parish.
Those ties helped give LSU an advantage once the Tigers became more involved in his recruitment, particularly because his family would have an easier time traveling to Baton Rouge to watch him play.
"Really, just my family being able to come see me, actually being closer," Hudson said. "And my family was already LSU fans, so I really don't have to get my people acclimated to being at LSU.
"Everybody already knows the culture, knows the 'Go Tigers.' And it's really a better chance for me, in my opinion."
LSU's Defensive Scheme and Coaching Relationships Made an Impression
Beyond his family connections, Hudson was drawn to LSU's defensive scheme under coordinator Blake Baker and the relationships he developed with the Tigers' coaching staff.
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Hudson believes his versatility will allow him to contribute in several different roles as he continues developing physically.
At 180 pounds, he understands he will need to add weight before becoming an every-down linebacker in the SEC. However, he believes his speed, coverage ability and effectiveness as a pass rusher make him an intriguing fit for Baker's defense.
"If you look at me now, you'll be like, 'Well, he's not a linebacker. He's 6-3 and 180,'" Hudson said. "I'm nowhere close to being the size, but I do plan on putting on at least 20 pounds and being able to play the Will linebacker, outside the box, in the box and blitzing off the edge.
"Because my skill set, I'm very fast off the edge. I can use my hands, and I've got great coverage skills. So just using my abilities in those situations."
Hudson also praised the flexibility of LSU's defense and the way Baker utilizes players with different physical traits and skill sets.
"How dynamic they are. The different sizes in the defense and the different skill sets," Hudson said. "I like how they look for certain skill sets to do a specific job and how they can bend around their defense in a lot of ways."
Another significant factor was Hudson's relationship with linebackers coach Chris Kiffin, who remained in frequent contact throughout the recruiting process.
"I talk to Coach Kiffin a lot," Hudson said. "Daily, he'd send me graphics. We'd text each other, 'Good morning.' He'd send me 'Have a good day' texts. A little motivation call here and there. But we've got a good relationship."
Hudson particularly appreciated Kiffen's straightforward approach.
"He's very stand-up. He doesn't sugarcoat anything," Hudson said. "I really like that out of coaches."
Five-Star LSU Commit Ahmad Hudson Also Played a Role
LSU's recruiting efforts extended beyond the coaching staff.
Five-star LSU commitment Ahmad Hudson also maintained a relationship with Jamarquis throughout the recruiting process, giving the Tigers another connection to the Port Arthur Memorial standout.
Despite sharing the same last name, the two are not related. However, their friendship began when they participated in a Navy All-American event together. And will both play in the U.S. Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January.
Their friendship continued to grow, and the two stayed in contact as LSU intensified its pursuit.
"When I first met him, we were pretty cool. We had a lot in common," Jamarquis said. "We've both got the same last name, so when we met each other, people were already saying we're cousins. So we just went with it. We basically said we're cousins.”
What Hudson's Commitment Means for LSU
For starters, Hudson is the 16th prospect to commit to Lane Kiffin and the Tigers and the first linebacker.
With TJ Dottery leaving and potentially Whit Weeks, LSU needs all the bodies they can get at linebacker.
Hudson's decision also gives LSU another versatile defensive prospect with the athleticism to develop into a contributor at multiple positions.
While his frame will require additional development, his combination of length, speed and coverage ability provides Baker with an intriguing piece for the future.
Hudson recorded 105 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four interceptions and five pass breakups during his junior season. He's also reportedly clocked a 4.48-second 40-yard dash.
A linebacker with solid size and speed, capable of playing inside the box with strong blitz and coverage skills? That sounds like a linebacker Baker would love on his defense.
Hudson initially chose Kansas because of the relationships he developed with the Jayhawks' coaching staff and the welcoming environment he experienced during his visit.
However, LSU's proximity to his family, his lifelong connections to Louisiana and the opportunity to play in Baker's defense ultimately helped the Tigers win out.
