Alumnus James Hudson Selected by Cleveland in 4th Round of NFL Draft
Former Central Catholic High School gridiron standout James Hudson (Class of 2017) was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft on Saturday. Hudson, the 110th overall pick of the draft, becomes the eighth player in school history to be chosen in the draft.
“It was a great feeling to get that phone call from the Browns,” said Hudson. “I’m just so happy to be a part of their organization. I was instantly filled with emotion because I knew how much it meant to my family for me to have the opportunity to play so close to home. Growing up I never dreamed of playing for my dad’s favorite team. I’m truly blessed.”
Hudson was a 2020 first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection at tackle for the University of Cincinnati, helping bookend an offensive line which was tabbed as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award. UC averaged an AAC-best 5.6 yards per carry this past fall and ran for 212.4 yards per game on the ground. The Bearcats also allowed an AAC-low nine sacks during the regular season.
Hudson gave up his final two seasons of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl and was selected for the 2021 NFL Combine.
A 2017 graduate of CCHS, Hudson registered 80 tackles, 34 tackles-for-loss and eight sacks as a senior for the Fighting Irish en route to earning Three Rivers Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Hudson ranked as the No. 30 DE nationally and No. 14 player in Ohio as a senior and was a rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN and Rivals. Hudson also played in the Offense-Defense All-American Bowl and was a 2016 Associated Press Division III first-team All-Ohio honoree.
“I’m so proud of James and everything he has accomplished,” said Football Coach Greg Dempsey. “James has faced a great amount of adversity throughout his career. He has persevered through it all, earned his degree and achieved his dream of reaching the NFL.”
History of CCHS Players to Appear in NFL
2021 - James Hudson (4th Round, 110th Overall), Cleveland Browns
2020 - Michael Warren (Undrafted Free Agent), Philadelphia Eagles
2017 - DeShone Kizer (2nd Round, 52nd Overall), Cleveland Browns
2011 - Dane Sanzenbacher (Undrafted Free Agent), Chicago Bears
2007 - Ryne Robinson (4th Round, 118th Overall), Carolina Panthers
1999 - JoJuan Armour (7th Round, 224th Overall), Oakland Raiders
1975 - Brad Cousino (Undrafted Free Agent), Cincinnati Bengals
1968 - Tom Beutler (12th Round, 319th Overall), Cleveland Browns
1962 - Jim Thibert (22nd Round, 176th Overall), San Diego Chargers*
1957 - Joe Amstutz (6th Round, 63rd Overall), Cleveland Browns
1938 - Andy Farkas (1st Round, 9th Overall), Washington Redskins
1941 - Duncan Obee, Detroit Lions
* - AFL Draft
