The final domino for the defensive line in the Volusia-Flagler area is expected to fall Saturday night.
Christian Hudson, a two-way starter in the trenches for FHSAA Class 3S champion Mainland, will announce his commitment at 5:55 p.m. from his group of four finalists.
Hudson will choose from the four programs he officially visited during the busy month of June: Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland and UCF. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound rising senior has received nearly two dozen Division I offers and is ranked No. 62 in the USA TODAY Florida Network Top 100 prospect list for the 2025 graduating class.
Hudson earned Volusia-Flagler All-Area honors for the second consecutive year as a junior and was named a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year after starting all 15 games at left guard in the Buccaneers’ title-winning campaign. He made 72 tackles with 29 tackles for loss and nine sacks, joining forces with Florida signee LJ McCray and Wofford signee Ramon McCollough to form one of Florida’s most fearsome defensive fronts.
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Last week, Spruce Creek defensive lineman Derry Norris committed to Georgia Tech, while Flagler Palm Coast’s Colby Cronk decided on NC State in March. While both local standouts will begin their college careers in the ACC, Hudson is ready to move on to the Big 10 or Big 12.
Before his appointment, Hudson spoke with The News-Journal in an exclusive phone interview to detail what he liked most about each of his finalists — listed in alphabetical order — and to recap his cross-country recruiting adventures that lasted a year. month.
Iowa
Iowa is one of the most relationship-friendly programs that recruited me. They are far away, but they have kept their relationship close. I loved my official visit there and had a great time with my host player, (redshirt freshman linebacker) Kenneth Merriewather. I feel like the player panel where we talked to them and asked them how they felt and what they liked really opened my eyes. Overall, they have a great program and will continue to do great things with the same coaching staff. I love (defensive line coach Kelvin) Bell, (head coach Kirk) Ferentz and (defensive coordinator Phil) Parker. They always check on me and make sure I’m okay. The entire team makes me feel at home.
Iowa State
The fact that they were one of my offers and recruited me all the way shows me how passionate they are and how much they want me. When I went on my official visit, they really rolled out the red carpet and put things into perspective on how I can stand out in their defense. (Defensive passing game coordinator/safeties coach Deon Broomfield) came in my sophomore year when we made our first state championship run. He told me he would recruit me until the end of my process, and that’s exactly what he did. And then I met (defensive line coach Eli) Rasheed, and it’s been genuine love the whole time.
Maryland
Maryland is another school that has been recruiting me for a long time. (Special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach) James Thomas is a Florida kid, so he understands the distance part. My host player, (redshirt sophomore defensive lineman) Jordan Phillips, is also from Florida and said the transition was great. It is not a big deal. No matter where I go, I’ll be far from home. I love university so much, especially because it was the first time I went to university. (Head coach Mike) Locksley and B-Dub (defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Brian Williams) are a great recruiting duo.
UCF
UCF, it’s a really long story. When I was first offered it, it was by (offensive line coach Herb) Hand my sophomore year. I kept going to camps and showed up the next year as a defensive lineman for (defensive tackles coach Kenny) Martin. He loved me when I was on offense, but he loves me more since I switched to defense. They play in the Big 12 against the big boys, one of the toughest competitions in football. It’s always been a great show and is at the top of the list for me. It’s a great opportunity to be a hometown hero.
This article originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Christian Hudson names UCF, Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland as finalists
