University Park— Penn State broke the heart of Kyron Hudson heart last fall.
The USC receiver could have been part of a magical afternoon at the LA Coliseum.
USC led Penn State for most of the afternoon, and at one point, had a 14-point advantage.
It would have taken a team with a lot of guts to beat the Trojans that day.
Unfortunately for Hudson, Penn State was that type of team.
When Ryan Barker’s kick sailed through the uprights, all Hudson could do was watch as Penn State celebrated.
This season, Hudson will on the other side of each of Penn State’s celebrations, which he hopes will be highlighted by a national championship win.
“Playing against them last year, they’re some tough players,” Hudson told reporters after practice Tuesday. “And then on the other side of that, just the culture and the brotherhood. I mean, it was a back and forth game all game, and you understood the culture and the brotherhood that they have to end up winning that game. It stood out to me.”
‘THE COOL UNCLE’
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 30: USC Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson (10) reacts after catching a pass for a first down during a college football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish played on November 30, 2024 at the Los Angeles Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire)
Hudson certainly gives Penn State a veteran presence.
To put things into perspective, Clay Helton was still USC’s coach when Hudson started his college career.
Hudson has been on winning teams (11-3 in 2022) and mediocre ones (15-11 over 2023 and ‘24.)
He’s been in stable passing games (QB Caleb Williams won the Heisman in 2022) and unstable ones (Miller Moss was benched in the middle of last season.)
So, yeah, Hudson has seen a lot, and that experience isn’t lost on WR coach Marques Hagans.
“He’s kind of like the cool uncle that everybody goes to for advice and wants to be around,” Hagans said Tuesday. “He does a really good job of not just living the standard, but setting the standard. And every day he shows up — very similar to Trebor (Pena), very similar to Liam (Clifford). Those three guys are constant, day in and day out, and Devonte (Ross) as well.”
Pena and Hudson are two vets, in particular, that have stood out to head coach James Franklin.
Both are veterans who were captains on their previous teams, with Pena taking on a leadership role at Syracuse.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.For Franklin, Hudson being on the outside and Pena being in the slot could make for a solid combination.
“Pena’s body type and his skill set, and Hudson’s body type and his skill set, are really nice complementary pieces,” Franklin said. “More than anything, they’re two veteran, experienced guys with production that we expect to have big years for us.”
Although coming to Penn State is certainly an adjustment, Hudson doesn’t feel he needs to change much.
DISCIPLINE
Transfer wide receiver Kyron Hudson hauls in a pass.
Hudson is big on discipline.
His father was a former Marine, so he grew up surrounded by those values.
For him, this made Penn State a perfect fit.
“It’s just the opportunity,” he said. “Every person that goes into the portal is looking for an opportunity and really understanding it. I’m also big on culture. As you guys understand, the culture is so strong here. I come from a military family, so discipline and culture is something that I live for. So that kind of made it easy for me, and being the person and the player that I am and surrounding myself with these types of players, it was an easy, easy decision.”
Of course, Hudson can make plays on the field, too.
Last season, he made arguably the catch of the year Week 1 against LSU.
To make more plays like that, all Kyron Hudson has to do is be himself.
“He’s just got to make plays when his number is called, and I think he will,” Hagans said. “I don’t think there’s any pressure on him to change anything. I think the pressure on him is just to perform and be the best version of himself. … So I don’t think there’s any necessary pressure on him to change anything. I think the pressure is just for him to live up to the expectations of who we know he can be, and I think we’ll be fine.”
“He doesn’t have to be anything other than what we know he’s been since he’s been here, and I think he continues to show that. When his number is called, make the play. He does that, he’ll have a successful season, and so will we.”
Although football is a business, it’s also a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
“Trust myself,” Hudson said. “Just using the ability that God gave me, and just continue to have fun. I think that’s the main thing that I do. Just go out there and have fun and feel like I’m a kid playing football.”
