From now until the 2025 NFL Draft, we’ll be diving deep into the prospects emerging from college programs, scrutinizing their abilities and how they might fit into an NFL team. Our analysis will cover all potential draftees, from the coveted top-10 talents to the Day 3 picks and even priority undrafted free agents. Today, let’s focus on UCF’s wide receiver, Kobe Hudson.
#2 Kobe Hudson/WR Central Florida – Standing 6 feet ½ inch tall and weighing 193 pounds, this fifth-year senior is ready to show what he can bring to the table.
Measurements:
- Height/Weight: 6006/193 pounds
- Hand Size: 9 inches
- Arm Length: 30 5/8 inches
- Wingspan: 75 1/4 inches
Performance Numbers:
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.57 seconds
- 10-Yard Dash: 1.54 seconds
- Broad Jump: 10 feet 2 inches
- Vertical Jump: 35 inches
What He Does Well:
Hudson is a reliable route runner with a knack for making quick, clean breaks. He possesses confident hands and uses his agility to dodge press coverage. His ability to change direction is quite solid, allowing him to maneuver effectively downfield while minimizing contact with defenders.
Areas for Improvement:
There are moments when Hudson appears to lack urgency coming off the snap, and his initial explosiveness isn’t great. He can often be seen moving with his feet too planted and doesn’t use his hands effectively to fight for position. His stance tends to be too upright at the snap, resulting in false steps that hurt his timing. Though he has decent athletic ability, his average speed and strength can let stronger defensive backs control him, especially in contested catch situations. Blocking isn’t his strong suit, and he needs to work on his effectiveness after the catch. Additionally, there are character concerns that arose during his college career.
Background:
Hudson began his college football journey at Auburn, making 12 starts over two years before transferring to UCF, where he started 34 games in three years. In 2024, he led UCF with 47 catches, resulting in 770 yards and four touchdowns, earning him an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolade. His stats from previous years are also impressive, with notable performances that highlight his deep-threat potential. Before college, Hudson was an accomplished high school athlete in Georgia, even playing quarterback and earning the Georgia Class 4A state player of the year title.
Tape Breakdown:
Kobe has shown that he can be a dependable starter at the college level. His agility helps him avoid defenders, and he’s good at executing his routes with sharp breaks. However, translating this success to the NFL could be challenging due to his athletic limitations. His stance and approach before the snap can slow his progress, and his ability to go vertical needs work. Against physical coverage, Hudson often struggles due to his lack of strength and aggressiveness. His reliance on quick movements rather than hand-fighting could be problematic in the pros, where defensive backs are more skilled. While he does have reliable hands, his ability to gain extra yards after the catch, and his blocking effort and skill leave something to be desired.
Conclusion:
Kobe Hudson finds himself in a challenging position. His strengths and playing style don’t suit either the inside or outside WR roles perfectly, and his lack of speed and size limit his potential as a deep threat. Additionally, his off-field issues might raise red flags for teams considering him. Despite these obstacles, he could find a role on a practice squad and provide depth as an injury replacement. For comparison, think of him as a Ryan Broyles type of player.
Projection: He is likely to be a mid-Day 3 pick for a team looking to bolster its depth. Our draft grade places him in the 6th or 7th round, with a potential role at the end of the roster or on a practice squad. Games reviewed include UCF’s matchups against Florida, Iowa State, and Arizona State during 2024.
