After paying his dues for more than a year on the New York Giants’ practice squad, Bryan Hudson of Georgetown made his on-field debut in Sunday’s 34-10 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Hudson, 24, nearing the end of his second National Football League season since concluding his career at the University of Louisville, was on the offensive line for every field goal and extra point attempt, as well as the final offensive series of the game.
He was elevated to the Giants’ 53-man roster on Saturday, when the team placed its starting center, John Michael Schmitz, on injured reserve.
NFL teams then deactivate eight players on game day to get down to the league limit of 45 who are allowed to dress for each contest.
Sunday was Hudson’s second NFL game but his first repetitions.
The New England Patriots activated the 6-foot-5, 305-pound lineman from their practice squad for a home contest against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 6, 2024.
He did not play and was returned to the practice squad the next day.
Released by the Patriots on Nov. 5 of last season, Hudson joined the Giants a day later.
Hudson has been featured frequently on the Giants’ social platforms and in New York media for his work with the National Marrow Donor Program via the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” initiative.
His uncle, Darrick Lee, found a life-saving donor through the system after being diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma.
A rare four-year starter at Scott County High School, Hudson led the Cardinals to the 2018 Class 6A championship game and two prior berths in the state semifinals.
He was also a seven-time KHSAA champion in outdoor track and field throwing events. Hudson went on to compete collegiately in both sports.
Hudson initially signed with Virginia Tech, where he spent two years before transferring to Louisville for three.
Hudson was an all-Atlantic Coast Conference offensive lineman at U of L, where he started 32 games and earned the Jacobs Trophy, symbolic of best blocker in the ACC.
Primarily a center with the Cardinals after appearing at every position on the line early in his career, Hudson went undrafted but signed with the Detroit Lions as a free agent. He was one of the Lions’ final cuts in 2024 training camp.
Hudson is one of two players from neighboring counties on the Giants’ roster. Wan’Dale Robinson, who won Kentucky Mr. Football while starring at Western Hills in Frankfort and later played for Nebraska and UK, went over 1,000 receiving yards on the season in the win over the Raiders.
The game was billed with ignominy by national pundits. Both the Giants and Raiders entered with matching 2-13 records, with the loser having the inside track to the No. 1 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.