BYU football: Hudson named to college HOF

Everyone knows about BYU's remarkable quarterback tradition, evidenced by, among other things, four former Cougar QBs having been enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Less-known on a national scale is BYU's tight-end tradition. But that might change after Thursday's announcement that Gordon Hudson has been elected to the Hall of Fame's Class of 2009.

Hudson is one of 16 All-America players and two coaches who will be inducted on Dec. 8 in New York City. Hudson becomes the sixth Cougar, along with four quarterbacks and legendary coach LaVell Edwards, to receive College Football Hall of Fame recognition.

"It's awfully special. It kind of adds an exclamation point to my career and my legacy," said Hudson, who was a unanimous All-America selection in 1982 and 1983.

"What's really special is, I'm the first non-quarterback or non-coach (from BYU) to be elected to the Hall of Fame. I don't know that it's completely sunk in. I guess one of these days I'll have a chance to sit back and reflect. It's pretty special. I'm amongst an elite group now."

"Gordon was tremendous," said Edwards, who coached Hudson. "No one played the tight-end position like he did at that time. He is richly deserving of being in the Hall of Fame. I'm very excited for him."

During his career, Hudson helped the Cougars win four WAC championships and earn four trips to the Holiday Bowl. He caught a total of 178 passes for 2,484 yards and 22 touchdowns.

"I'm thrilled to hear that Gordon has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame," said BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe. "Gordon and I were teammates at BYU, so I know from first-hand experience just how good of football player he was. This is a great honor for both Gordon and BYU."

Hudson was the second Cougar tight end to receive All-America honors, after Clay Brown accomplished the feat first in 1980. Several others have followed.

"The tight-end position has always been as important to that offensive scheme, almost, as the quarterback," Hudson said. "To be the first one to go to the Hall of Fame — and I'm sure there will be many more after me, like (former Cougar) Chad Lewis and (current Cougar) Dennis Pitta, who is a fantastic player — I guess the (National Football) Foundation is starting to recognize what great tight ends BYU continues to put out. There will be more to come after me, I'm sure."