T James Hudson (5.1.21)
On if he has played both G and T during his career, given the Browns plan to cross-train him at both positions:
“I only played tackle in my career. I am pretty open to playing guard. It is not that much of a difference. It is just a slight difference. It should not be a problem for me to get used to it.”
On transitioning to OL from DL in college and the advantage it offers:
“I feel like the transition was not that big of a difference. I am playing football at the end of the day. The position was not foreign to me so it kind of came naturally. I just had to tighten up some things in my technique. I feel like I play offensive line with a defensive line mentality. I just want to get after the person who I am across of every single play and just attack him.”
On being drafted from Cleveland and staying close to home and his family:
“It means everything. It warms my heart to know that I am only going to be an hour and a half away from home. My family is going to be able to come see me whenever they want to. That is a blessing. I am excited to put on for the state of Ohio.”
On if being selected by the Browns surprised him at all:
“No, it makes perfect sense. We had a couple of interviews, and they went really well. Me and the offensive line coach (Bill Callahan), we hit it off pretty good. I am excited.”
On why he decided to declare for the draft despite having years of eligibility left:
“I feel like the time was right just for my growth. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati. I earned my degree. My family was going to be support me 100 percent no matter what I decided to do. I sat down and I prayed to God, and I felt like this was the right move for me. It was the right move for me and my growth because it is time to take that next stop.”
On if him being a high fourth-round pick proves he made the right decision to declare for the draft this year:
“Yes, definitely.”
On if he thought he might be selected by the Bengals with the following pick, given he went to Cincinnati:
“I would be lying if I said it did not cross my mind. Cincinnati, there have been a lot of rumors saying that Cincinnati wanted to probably grab me, but Cleveland is even better. I am excited. They are going to get my all from Day 1.”
On joining one of the best OL units in the NFL, along with Callahan:
“Definitely, I am very excited. I can’t wait to just be around those guys, be with the coach and everything and just learn. I want to be like a sponge and just soak up as much knowledge as I can and as much info as I can so that when my jersey is called, I am ready and can help the team win.”
On joining the Browns and former Browns T Joe Thomas staying close with the team and what he can learn from Thomas:
“Joe Thomas, I look up to him. When I first got switched from defensive line to offensive line, I went to YouTube, and I typed in Joe Thomas. That was the first thing I did, just to learn some stuff, see how he plays the game and apply what he did to my game. It makes sense perfect because he is a very athletic tackle like I am. He goes all out every time he goes onto the field, and I feel like that relates to me. I just feel like Joe Thomas is the type of guy who I looked up to and I still look up to.”
On how many years he watched Thomas on YouTube:
“I want to say I watched him all of my four years. I have watched him from the time that I got switched to offensive line until I left Cincinnati. I still watch him now so I am pretty sure that is going to continue.”
On if he is excited that he likely will hear from Thomas soon:
“It definitely excites me. I can’t wait to hear what he has to say and just learn something from the best. He is probably one of the best offensive linemen to play the game so I just can’t wait to learn and soak up some things from him.”
On how he initially felt about switching to OL from DL:
“I was not crazy about the idea because I played offensive line in high school so like I said, I was not foreign to the position. I used to always joke with my teammates at Michigan that I could be an NFL offensive lineman when I was on the defensive line. They always told me to be careful what you wish for because I could see it, too. I am blessed.”
On the degree he earned at Cincinnati:
“I graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, which allows me to explore different options and just take different courses.”
On his familiarity with the Browns and Callahan:
“I know a little bit about coach Callahan but not too much. That is what this is all about. I am happy to get to know him some more, sit down and talk to him and just learn as much from him as I can. I feel like I can’t ask for a better coach.”
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