Tanner Hudson (born November 12, 1994) is an American professional football tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Southern Arkansas.

Tanner Hudson
refer to caption
Hudson with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021
No. 87 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1994-11-12) November 12, 1994 (age 30)
Paris, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:241 lb (109 kg)
Career information
High school:Camden Central
(Camden, Tennessee)
College:Memphis (2013)
Southern Arkansas (2014–2017)
Undrafted:2018
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:54
Receiving yards:551
Receiving touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Hudson was born in Paris, Tennessee, and grew up in Big Sandy, Tennessee. He attended Camden Central High School, where he played football and basketball. In football, Hudson played quarterback, kicker, and punter and was named the District 11-AA Most Valuable Punter as a junior after averaging 38.7 yards per punt while also passing for 581 yards and seven touchdowns with 152 yards and three touchdowns rushing. His senior season was cut short after four games due to injury.[1]

College career

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Hudson began his collegiate career as a quarterback and punter at Memphis, redshirting his freshman season. He opted to transfer to Southern Arkansas University following his redshirt year.

In his first season with the Muleriders, Hudson changed positions to wide receiver and eventually tight end while handling the team's punting duties.[2] In each of his last three seasons Hudson caught at least 40 passes and had over 600 receiving yards.[3] In his junior season, he set career highs with 48 catches, 763 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions and was named second-team All-Great American Conference (GAC) while also finishing third in the conference in yards per punt with 41.9.[4] As a senior, Hudson had 43 receptions for 624 yards and six touchdowns and was named first-team All-GAC and a second-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association and the Division II Conference Commissioner's Association.[5] He finished his collegiate career with 143 receptions for 2,152 yards and 25 touchdown catches.[3]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight
6 ft 4+14 in
(1.94 m)
239 lb
(108 kg)
Values from Pro Day[6]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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2018

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Hudson signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on April 29, 2018.[7] He was cut at the end of training camp but was re-signed to the Buccaneers practice squad on September 2, 2018.[3] Hudson was promoted to the active roster for the final two weeks of the 2018 season, but did not appear in either game.[8]

2019

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Hudson made the Buccaneers final roster to begin the 2019 season.[9] Hudson made his NFL debut on October 27, 2019, against the Tennessee Titans.[10] Hudson caught his first career pass, a 12-yard reception from Jameis Winston, on November 3, 2019, in a 40–33 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.[11] Hudson finished the season with two receptions for 26 yards in nine games played with one start.[12]

2020

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Hudson re-signed with the Buccaneers on a one-year contract on March 13, 2020.[13] He was waived by the Buccaneers during final roster cuts on September 5, 2020, and was signed to the practice squad the following day.[14] He was elevated to the active roster on September 19 for the team's week 2 game against the Carolina Panthers, and reverted to the practice squad the day after the game.[15] He was promoted to the active roster on September 23, 2020.[16] Hudson finished the season with three receptions on seven targets for 41 yards.[17] Hudson played in the Super Bowl LV victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, earning a single target.[18][19]

Hudson was given an exclusive-rights free agent tender by the Buccaneers on March 9, 2021.[20] He was released on August 31, 2021.[21]

San Francisco 49ers

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On September 3, 2021, Hudson was signed to the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.[22] He was promoted to the active roster on January 1, 2022.[23] He was waived on January 7, 2022, and re-signed to the practice squad. He signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on February 2, 2022.[24] He was waived on August 23.[25]

New York Giants

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On August 25, 2022, the New York Giants signed Hudson.[26] On December 3, 2022, Hudson was waived.[27]

Cincinnati Bengals

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2022

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On December 6, 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Hudson to their practice squad.[28] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 31, 2023.[29]

2023

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Hudson was released on August 29, 2023, and signed back to the practice squad the following day.[30][31] On September 25, he was promoted to the active roster and reverted back to the practice squad after the Week 3 game against the Los Angeles Rams.[32] Ahead of the Bengals Week 4 game against the Titans, Hudson was elevated a second time to the active roster on September 30.[33] On November 1, Hudson was signed to the active roster.[34] Hudson started the Week 9 game against the Buffalo Bills, and netted 4 receptions for 45 yards.[35] The following week against the Houston Texans he had a career-high six receptions in the game, five of which came in the first quarter alone.

Hudson scored his first career touchdown in Week 14 win against the Indianapolis Colts.[36] He finished the season with 39 receptions for 352 yards in addition to his one touchdown, making 2023 his best statistical season of his career.[37]

On March 15, 2024, Hudson re-signed with the Bengals.[38]

References

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  1. ^ "Tanner Hudson – 2013 Football Roster". GoTigersGo.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Smith, Scott (August 11, 2019). "Tanner Hudson Shows Why He Might Just Stick in the Regular Season". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c "Tampa Bay signs Tanner Hudson to practice squad". Magnolia Reporter. September 3, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  4. ^ Moyer, Eric (August 8, 2017). "SOUTHERN Arkansas Voted GAC Football Preseason Favorite". GreatAmericanConference.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  5. ^ "Hudson adds second All-America honor". MuleriderAthletics.com. December 13, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  6. ^ "Tanner Hudson, Southern Arkansas, TE, 2018 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  7. ^ McFarland, Shannon (April 29, 2018). "Tanner Hudson Of Camden Signs With Tampa Bay Buccaneers". WENKWTPR.com. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  8. ^ "BUCCANEERS PROMOTE TE TANNER HUDSON FROM PRACTICE SQUAD; PLACE LB KEVIN MINTER ON INJURED RESERVE". Buccaneers.com. December 11, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  9. ^ "Former Mulerider Tanner Hudson earns spot on Tampa Bay roster". Magnolia Reporter. August 31, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  10. ^ Arcia, Gil (October 27, 2019). "Notes and highlights from the Buccaneers 27–23 loss to the Titans". BucsNation.com. SB Nation. Retrieved October 27, 2019.
  11. ^ Arcia, Gil (November 3, 2019). "Notes and highlights from the Buccaneers 40–34 loss to the Seahawks". BucsNation.com. SB Nation. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
  12. ^ Williams, Charean (March 13, 2020). "Buccaneers sign Tanner Hudson to one-year deal". Profootballtalk.com. NBC Sports. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  13. ^ Smith, Scott (March 13, 2020). "Tanner Hudson Gets New Deal". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  14. ^ Smith, Scott (September 6, 2020). "Bucs Get Draft Picks Back on Super-Sized Practice Squad". Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Retrieved September 7, 2020.
  15. ^ Smith, Scott (September 19, 2020). "Bucs Promote Mazzi Wilkins, Elevate Two Others from Practice Squad". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  16. ^ Smith, Scott (September 23, 2020). "Bucs Promote TE Tanner Hudson to Active Roster". Buccaneers.com.
  17. ^ "Tanner Hudson 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  18. ^ "2 West Tennesseans at Super Bowl LV". The Jackson Sun. February 2, 2021.
  19. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 7, 2021). "What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV". NFL.com. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  20. ^ Smith, Scott (March 9, 2021). "Bucs Extend Tender Offers to Four Exclusive Rights Free Agents". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  21. ^ Smith, Scott (September 1, 2021). "Ryan Griffin, Antonio Hamilton Among Bucs' Cuts to Get to 53". Buccaneers.com.
  22. ^ "49ers Sign Four Players to Practice Squad". 49ers.com. September 3, 2021.
  23. ^ "49ers Announce Roster Moves Ahead of #HOUvsSF". 49ers.com. January 1, 2022.
  24. ^ "49ers Sign 11 Players to Reserve/Future Contracts". 49ers.com. February 2, 2022.
  25. ^ "49ers Place Verrett on PUP; Announce Four Other Roster Moves". 49ers.com. August 23, 2022. Archived from the original on September 30, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  26. ^ "Giants add TE Tanner Hudson; waive C Chris Owens". Giants.com. August 25, 2022.
  27. ^ Eisen, Michael (December 3, 2022). "OLB Azeez Ojulari activated among series of moves". Giants.com.
  28. ^ "Bengals Roster Moves: Drue Chrisman Signed to Active Roster, TE Added to Practice Squad, Shelvin Released". Bengals.com. December 6, 2022.
  29. ^ "Bengals Roster Moves: Reserve/Future Contracts". Bengals.com. January 31, 2023.
  30. ^ "Bengals Reduce Roster to 53 Players for 2023 Season". Bengals.com. August 29, 2023.
  31. ^ "Team Transactions: Practice Squad for 2023 Season". Bengals.com. August 30, 2023.
  32. ^ Ulrich, Logan. "Bengals Elevate QB Reid Sinnett & & TE Tanner Hudson". NFL Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  33. ^ Rapien, James. "Bengals Elevate Tanner Hudson From Practice Squad For Matchup Against Titans". FanNation. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "Bengals Roster Moves: Tight End Signed to Active Roster, LB Signed to Practice Squad". Bengals.com. November 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "Who is Tanner Hudson? Tight end goes from Cincinnati practice squad to big game vs. Buffalo". The Enquirer. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
  36. ^ "WATCH: Bengals tight end logs first career touchdown to give Cincinnati second-half lead". WLWT. December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  37. ^ "In 2023, Bengals tight end Tanner Hudson proved that he belonged". The Enquirer. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  38. ^ "Bengals Re-Sign Tanner Hudson". Bengals.com. March 15, 2024.
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