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After much anticipation, 2016 four-star offensive lineman Patrick Hudson will conclude his second recruiting process later this week. According to multiple reports, Hudson, a former Baylor signee, will announce his decision on Thursday where he will decide between Texas, Texas A&M, TCU, and Oklahoma. This development comes shortly after Hudson sent a tweet on Sunday that his "prayers [were] answered."
I finally got my prayers answered.
— Patrick Hudson (@pathud20) June 27, 2016
Over the weekend, Hudson concluded an official visit to Oklahoma where he met with the coaching staff and toured the facilities. Little is known about how the visit went, but it made enough impact for the Sooners to be included in his top four. Rumors circulated late Monday evening that Hudson had signed with the Longhorns, but those close to Hudson maintain that no final decision will be made public until Thursday.
Last week, Hudson and four other members of the 2016 Baylor recruiting class reopened their recruitment after being granted releases from their National Letters of Intent following the termination of former head coach Art Briles. Three former members of Baylor's 2016 recruiting class have already signed with the Longhorns--Devin Duvernay, Donovan Duvernay, and J.P. Urquidez.
Hudson is arguably the most coveted player of those former Baylor signees and comes at a position of need for the Longhorns. A consensus four-star prospect and the number two offensive guard in the country according to 247 Sports composite rankings, Hudson would be a huge pick up for the Longhorns and would immediately vie for playing time on a thin offensive line. A 2016 Under Armour All-American as well, Hudson would be the sixth player from the game to join the 'Horns 2016 recruiting class.
Coming out of high school, Hudson is easily one of the strongest players in his entire recruiting class and boasts a massive frame at 6'5", 325 pounds. Perhaps the most telling quote about Hudson's strength is when Briles announced on National Signing Day that he had signed "the strongest player in America." However, Hudson is not just brute strength. He matches his strength with good leverage and pad level, making him a force within the trenches. While his technique needs refinement before he becomes dominant at the college level, Hudson absolutely has the potential to become one of the best lineman in the Big 12.
Signing Hudson would be more good news for the Texas coaching staff, which has been on a hot streak of late in the recruiting process. More importantly, Hudson would be the perfect final piece to an already stout 2016 class.