Redshirt Sophomore Prather Hudson deems himself the quiet one in the running back room. “I try to stay back and let Brian Herrien and all those guys talk because they are a little loud,” said Hudson.
Hudson was recruited as preferred walk-on at the tailback position for Georgia and spent his first year playing on scout team, working to get the starting defense ready for the games to come. “I still play a little scout team from time to time. I always try to prepare the defense for what is coming up next,” said Hudson. “I think that role is kind of undervalued a little bit because you are making a look and you are going to say this is what is going to happen for the week. You have to study the film and what they (opposing team) do.”
Although Hudson didn’t see the field in 2016, last season he played in 14 games on both special teams and as a backup running back. All of his 15 yards that season came from six carries in the game against Samford. This season Hudson has played in all five games and has already doubled his yardage: 16 against Austin Peay, 19 at South Carolina and 2 against Middle Tennessee.
When asked if any of the more experienced backs have given him advice he said, “Oh always. When I get in they always surround me, telling me which way to go and everything. Swift is always telling me to cut and how to read off certain blocks and Elijah telling me what to see in the passing game and what kind of pass pickups I need to make. They are always super helpful and we are always cheering for each other whoever is in.”
The majority of the time Hudson sees the field, he is on special teams. Head coach Kirby Smart has commented on his excellent performance on special teams on multiple occasions. “That is what I value. That is my thing. That is my niche,” said Hudson. Every single time I go out there it is like my last play. Whenever I get out there it is super important, it can change the momentum of the game like in the Missouri game when we blocked a punt. We always make sure that is a top priority in this program.”
It was not luck that Hudson is now a member of the Georgia football team, it was hard work and ambition. “My dad has always taught me to dream big so I always set my goals in the SEC, that is always where I have wanted to play. I have always told myself that I would always strive for it no matter what the case if I had to walk on or anything like that. I just kept working and always got myself prepared for that moment. Whenever that special teams moment came, I made sure I was prepared,” he said.
