Hudson ranked top tight end in Class of 2027, No. 32 player nationally

He hasn’t played a snap yet in his sophomore season, but Ruston hybrid wide receiver/ tight end Ahmad Hudson is already gaining steam on the recruiting trail.

He received offers from SEC heavyweights LSU and Texas A&M as a freshman, and Wednesday recruiting service 247Sports released its initial rankings for the 2027 class. Hudson debuts on the list at No. 32 nationally — the secondhighest Louisiana recruit. Dunham School quarterback Elijah Haven is the No. 1 player in the country.

Hudson (6-7, 220) is also tied for the No. 1 tight end position nationally with a rating of 90. Mark Bowman (6-4, 215) of California powerhouse Mater Dei is the other tight end listed at No. 1.

About Hudson, Geaux247’s Glen West said, “Taking one good look at Hudson it’s easy to see why he’s so highly regarded in this class. Another dual sport athlete who plays basketball, Hudson is one of those athletes to watch in-state with the potential to play both.

“In fact, Hudson has spoken with current LSU freshman tight end Trey’Dez Green about the process of pursuing both sports at the next level,” West added.

Green has become a comparison for Hudson, especially since the two went head- to- head in the Division I non-select championship game in the Caesars Superdome with Ruston winning the title 31-17.

Green (6-7, 235) was an All-State basketball player at East Feliciana as an underclassman before transferring to Zachary for his senior season. Ironically, he was ruled ineligible to play basketball at Zachary but flourished on the football field and signed with LSU.

Hudson is forging a similar path up to this point, albeit a little earlier with the football part of his career. He was a first-team LSWA All-State player following a freshman basketball season in which he averaged 14 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3 blocks in helping Ruston reach the Division I non-select semifinals.

Though he was mainly utilized as a decoy in Ruston’s offense as a freshman, Hudson flashed at times. His onehanded acrobatic catch against Cabot (Arkansas) High on the road a year ago continues to go viral online.

He is expected to step up and give the Bearcats more production at both positions this season after RHS lost Logan Malone and Jamar Woods to graduation.

So far, so good midway through Ruston’s fall practices. Head coach Jerrod Baugh talked about his receivers to the Leader last week and mentioned Hudson.

“I think Ahmad has been good, especiallywith him transitioning where we’re asking him to be more of a hybrid position like what Zhy Scott did for us in between a tight end and receiver,” Baugh said.

Two other Louisiana players were also listed in the initial 247Sports top 100 rankings. Benton quarterback Malachi Zeigler (6-3, 190) comes in at No. 50, while Cecilia athlete Braylon Calais (6-1, 190) is listed at No. 90. All members of the 247Sports top 100 are given 4-star ratings. The service will dole out the 5-star designations at a later time.

Fans can catch their first glimpse of Hudson and the Bearcats in a fall scrimmage Aug. 23 at C. E. Byrd High in Shreveport. The Cats will then play in the Bayou Jamb at UL-Monroe against district rival Neville at Malone Stadium Aug. 31 (Saturday).

Ruston opens up the regular season on Sept. 6 at home against traditional Class 5A power Acadiana High of Lafayette.