OTF Premium Adding Nick Hudson shows how Texas is adjusting to changing roster construction dynamics

[Jeff Howe]

Brown defensive back Nick Hudson’s commitment to Texas on Friday makes him the latest addition to the roster for the 2026 season.

Like the additions of Darius Snow and Paris Patterson Jr., recruiting Hudson from the portal speaks to how the Longhorns are maximizing the new age of roster building in college football. With roster construction mimicking an NFL model, Texas landing Hudson is akin to an NFL club signing a free agent ahead of training camp.

That’s not to minimize what Hudson, who played 777 snaps in three seasons at Brown and led the Ivy League with 13 pass breakups in 2024, brings to the table. Still, with instant impact starters like Cam Coleman, Rasheem Biles, Raleek Brown, Hollywood Smothers, Melvin Siani and Bo Mascoe accounting for where Texas had to devote most of its portal resources, guys like Hudson, Snow and Patterson are like the low-risk, high-reward options found throughout NFL rosters in the preseason.

If Hudson, or any of the other post-spring practice additions, earn significant roles in 2026, they’ll be well worth whatever the staff invested in them to get them to the Forty Acres. If things don’t pan out, and Hudson, Snow and Patterson are simply on the roster and contributing mainly through their work on the practice field, then they’ll be unused insurance policies.

The best-case scenario for Hudson (along with Snow and Patterson) might be mirroring what Sterling Berkhalter has done since joining the program. Even within a position group oozing talent, Berkhalter has had the kind of spring that has Steve Sarkisian and Chris Jackson believing in him as someone who could potentially be counted on to log meaningful snaps.

Regardless, the three most recent roster additions can put a buffer between a talented group of true freshmen and the field, if nothing else. If Tyler Atkinson, Samari Matthews and John Turntine III have significant roles as true freshmen, it needs to be because they’re the best options and not the only options available at their respective positions.

That’s not to say the staff should or would put Hudson on the field before Matthews, for example. But a capable, experienced option is a nice fallback plan to consider if, for whatever reason, there are reservations about turning to a true freshman.

With college football teams operating under a roster cap of 105 players, late additions like Hudson are more talented, experienced versions of the preferred walk-ons who've previously filled out the roster. If Hudson does nothing beyond giving the starters a better look to go against in practice, taking him will have been a worthwhile addition to the roster.

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[Paul Jespersen]

evolve or die

🤘

[Jeff Howe]

I didn't mention this in the story, but there's a draw to Texas for Hudson and the other late portal additions.

First, joining the Longhorns beats the alternative of either leveling down to continue your football career or hanging up your cleats. Second, at the very least, you can finish an undergraduate degree or continue pursuing a post-graduate degree at Texas while getting your school paid for, which isn't a bad thing.

I don't want to demean what a guy like Hudson could bring to the table. But if he's a positive presence in the room who can rub off on the young guys and put himself in a position to see the field, it's a win for all parties involved.

[GoHorns1]

@Jeff Howe, what’s going to happen with the current Preferred Walk-ons?

[HudGar1922]

1 hour ago, Jeff Howe said:

I didn't mention this in the story, but there's a draw to Texas for Hudson and the other late portal additions.

First, joining the Longhorns beats the alternative of either leveling down to continue your football career or hanging up your cleats. Second, at the very least, you can finish an undergraduate degree or continue pursuing a post-graduate degree at Texas while getting your school paid for, which isn't a bad thing.

I don't want to demean what a guy like Hudson could bring to the table. But if he's a positive presence in the room who can rub off on the young guys and put himself in a position to see the field, it's a win for all parties involved.

true and you can never have enough knowledgeable special teams guys as well.   guys who know not how to hold on returns or get excited and push someone in the back