5-Star OT Patrick Hudson All About Results, Not the Spotlight

It doesn't take long to get an idea of the type of person Baylor commitment Patrick Hudson is.

On the field, he's menacing. He's dominant. At 6'5 ½" and 314 pounds, he's larger than life, figuratively and literally.

Off the field, the 5-star offensive lineman prefers that no one knows much about him.

"I'm just me," he said. "Not really much more to be said."

As the nation's No. 2 offensive tackle and No. 15 overall player, Hudson fits the bill of a college football superstar in the making. He's an Under Armour All-American and an athlete who has earned several other accolades as a leader for Silsbee High School in Silsbee, Texas.

But take him off the field, and you see who Hudson really is. Ask him a question, and get a direct-but-honest answer. There will be a lot of "yes, sir" and "yes, ma'am" responses in his replies. His dialogue is like a master storyteller: He always leaves you wanting to hear more.

But chances are, you won't get it. Unless it's involving something on the football field, which is when he'll answer a football question with his play rather than his words.

And that's the real reason why he'll play in the Under Armour game on Jan. 2. It's also why he'll put on a Baylor uniform and see success early in his college career.

From Silsbee to Waco

Silsbee is a small city in Texas' Piney Woods region, minutes away from the Gulf of Mexico and less than two hours northeast of the greater Houston area. For pro wrestling fans, it's the home of WWE Superstar Mark Henry.

To Hudson, it's also the home of something else.

"Tumbleweeds. Lot of tumbleweeds," he said. "Nothing's really out here. You have your friends, but there's nothing really to do. It's a very rural area."

"I just think of it as a small, little town. Football is the No. 1 thing."

Hudson also described Silsbee as "Aggie Land," referring to the many Texas A&M fans in the town of roughly 6,600. On March 28, 2014, Hudson committed to the Aggies as a sophomore, but his commitment lasted only four months, as he switched his pledge from Texas A&M to Baylor on July 18.

Three days earlier, 4-star all-purpose back Kameron Martin committed to the Bears. Martin, who lives in neighboring Port Arthur, Texas, said Hudson's decision was one that excited him then and still excites him today.

"Patrick is a very loyal person I've known for three years and since we've been committed to Baylor," said Martin, the nation's No. 5 all-purpose back. "It's amazing to have a person like that who will be blocking for me."

"

In the locker room. pic.twitter.com/PkNbZnmJC3

— Patrick Hudson (@pathud20) October 12, 2014"

Recruited by offensive line coach Randy Clements and defensive backs coach Carlton Buckels, Hudson is expected to see time at tackle, but he also could be asked to play guard early. According to Baylor's depth chart, courtesy of Ourlads, the Bears will lose four out of five starters to graduation in tackles Spencer Drango and Pat Colbert and guards Blake Muir and Jarell Broxton.

Guard Desmine Hilliard also is a senior this year, which means there will be plenty of opportunities for Hudson to come in and earn starter's minutes. Ask Hudson about his future, and he's cut-and-dry.

"My preference is tackle," he said. "Whether it's left or right, I want to play tackle."

Credit: 247Sports.com

Keeping a low profile

Need proof of Hudson's desire for anonymity? Notice his player profile. His offer list only features six reported offers. He said he has plenty more, but listing them all isn't necessary. The offers further bring attention to him.

"What's my life like? I think it's like being everyone else," Hudson said. "I wake up like you do. I go to sleep like you do. There's nothing new to the story. I try not to make anything bigger than it is."

If you ask Hudson, all he wants is to go to school, earn a business degree and help his team on the football field. As much as Hudson tries to stay out of the spotlight, it's his work on the field that keeps him highly relevant.

Hudson's a part of a Silsbee offensive line that has helped the duo of quarterback Dontre Thomas and running back Adonis Thomas rush for more than 2,600 yards this season. Silsbee's offense nearly had 600 yards of total offense—including 340 rushing yards—in a playoff win against Chapel Hill on Friday.

In November, Hudson made history becoming the first Silsbee player to be invited to the Under Armour All-America Game, which will take place Jan. 2 in Orlando, Florida.

"You all know the kind of person he is, and you couldn't ask for a better person," Silsbee head coach Bobby McGallion said, according to the Beaumont Enterprise, during Hudson's jersey presentation in November. "As a football coach, you couldn't ask for a better player than we have in Patrick Hudson. We could not be prouder of him receiving this honor."

Hudson's quickness, length and ability to finish defenders in one-on-one situations is an easy sell to college recruiters. He plays with solid pad level, and his footwork will put him on the field early and often at Baylor. At 314 pounds, he has the body frame to add muscle and become even more of an intimidating factor at the next level.

He's an athlete who could be the face of Baylor's program.

"People should expect me to do everything I have to do to win the game," Hudson said. "Nothing more, nothing less."

Preparing for the next level

Martin gets it: His future college teammate wants to play without the fanfare.

"Pat is a very quiet guy who really likes to stay under the limelight," Martin said. "He doesn't talk to many people, but he is very friendly and cool in person."

Hudson's idea of a good time is either being with friends or celebrating victories with teammates on Friday nights. On Sundays, he's at his church obtaining spiritual knowledge and getting additional support from those expecting him to do well in college.

Hudson has been committed to Baylor for more than a year, but he said official visits to other schools aren't out of the picture. He was in Waco last week on an unofficial visit.

"

Well well well..... It really feels good to be in Waco tonight! pic.twitter.com/gsJ0XvCka1

— Patrick Hudson (@pathud20) November 14, 2015"

Hudson said Baylor's camaraderie on campus, overall environment of the city and sincerity of the coaching staff, including head coach Art Briles, won him over.

"[Waco] is small, but the city is growing," Hudson said. "I like the culture there. Everywhere you go, coaches are going to be the same, but you could tell [Briles] was genuine. I like all of the coaches."

A multitude of schools are hoping to change Hudson's mind before February's signing day. Whether that happens is still to be determined, but look for Hudson to continue being the person he is.

And who is he? Someone who wants to improve for himself and his team every day, yet at the same time keep the lowest profile possible.

"I want to do all of the things that will help me become better," he said. "But when it comes to wanting praise for it ... no, that's not me."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand, unless otherwise noted. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles