Rodney Hudson
Age: 35
Rodney Hudson (born July 12, 1989) is an American football center for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Florida State University, and was a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Early years
Hudson was born in Mobile, Alabama. He attended B. C. Rain High School in Mobile, where he was a two-way lineman. He graded out at 95 percent for his entire senior season with a total of 47 pancake blocks, while also being a standout on defense as he recorded 55 tackles as defensive tackle. He earned All-State first team honors as a junior and senior.
Besides his football commitments, Hudson was forced to work nights at a local Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant to support his single mother throughout high school.
Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hudson was listed as the No. 17 center in the nation. He also received a three-star rating by Scout.com, and ranked 45th on their offensive guard list. He selected Florida State over West Virginia and Southern Miss, among others.
College career
Hudson attended Florida State University, and played for coach Bobby Bowden and coach Jimbo Fisher's Florida State Seminoles football team from 2007 to 2010. As a true freshman in 2007, he started 10 of 13 games at left guard and left tackle. He was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance in the Seminoles' victory over the second ranked Boston College. At the end of the season he earned numerous honors such as a Freshman All-America first-team selection by College Football News and the Football Writers Association of America, and All-ACC third-team honors by Phil Steele. As a sophomore in 2008 Hudson earned ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week three times. At the end of the season he earned a first-team All-ACC selection by Rivals.com and Phil Steele.
In 2009, Hudson was listed at No. 2 on Rivals.com's preseason interior lineman power ranking in 2009. Hudson was the winner of the ACC Jacobs Blocking Award as the league's most dominant offensive lineman. He earned FWAA first-team All-American honors and was an Associated Press second-team All-American.
In the 2010 preseason, Hudson was a watch list candidate for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. In November 2010, he was named one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, along with Gabe Carimi and Nate Solder; Carimi won the award. Hudson was a first-team All-ACC selection for the third consecutive season, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American.
After four years of starting, Hudson will leave FSU as the most decorated offensive lineman in Seminole history. Hudson was listed as the 24th best player in FSU history by the Orlando Sentinel before his senior season had even been played.
Professional career
2011 NFL Draft
Projected to be a second-to-third round selection by Sports Illustrated, Hudson was graded as the No. 6 available offensive guard in the 2011 NFL Draft. He was projected to be moved to center, due to his "limited size." Hudson was drafted in the second round, with the 55th overall pick, by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was the highest selected Seminoles offensive lineman since Alex Barron in 2005.
Kansas City Chiefs
During his rookie season, he started one game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On September 23, 2012, Hudson suffered a broken bone in his left leg and was placed on injured reserve.
Oakland Raiders
On March 11, 2015, Hudson and the Oakland Raiders agreed on a five year, $44.5 million deal, making him the highest paid center in the NFL.