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Ben Hudson Fall Camp

Football

Q&A: Ben Hudson, Football

Ben Hudson began his football career at Stanford University, where he appeared in one game as a true freshman in a redshirt season. He earned a spot on the field the next season, appearing in each of the first five games as a special teams contributor, but a devastating injury cut his time at Stanford short. After nearly three years away from the sport, Hudson is making a comeback with the Rainbow Warriors. And first up on the schedule for Hudson and the 'Bows: a trip to Stanford to face his old team. Ahead of his return to Stanford, Hudson spoke with HawaiiAthletics.com to talk about his journey to UH.

What was it like growing up in a military family and having to frequently move and start over in different places?
Yeah, my old man was in the Air Force, he served 20 years. I've lived all over. I think moving here to Hawai'i is my ninth move overall. I think it's truly a blessing. I had the opportunity to live overseas in Germany when I was in middle school. I got to experience different cultures and travel a lot. I think it gives you life skills being able to adapt, make and meet new people, and just be comfortable with different situations to just experience life.
 
Bishop Gorman High School has become a pipeline for UH football in recent years. You are one of 15 Bishop Gorman players on this year's roster, including some of your former high school teammates. What has that been like to reunite with some familiar faces here at UH?
It's been fun. It's just like high school all over again. My little brother also goes to school here. He was here at UH before me. So when (Elijah Palmer), Cam (Barfield), Jamih (Otis) saw my little brother around, they were able to check in on him. It's nice to have that connection from high school to be able to look out for my brother when I wasn't here. And now me being here too, it's just like being in high school all over again. Just building on top of those bonds, those friendships, talking about the different ways our lives have gone and just connecting.
 
You also reunited with your former high school coach Chris Brown, who is now your positional coach. What does it mean to you to have that connection in the linebacker room?
It's been a blessing. I've known Coach Brown since I was a freshman in high school, so having that relationship, that trust, that loyalty again in college football is definitely a blessing. I felt like I didn't have that over at Stanford. So to have him here, you know, someone I trust, with his word, trust in his techniques, it's been great. I love coach Brown, everything he's done for me. We have like a father-son relationship. I'm grateful to have him back in my life.
 
During the 2023 season, you had finally started to carve out a role and get on the field at Stanford when you suffered your big injury. What went through your mind as you suffered such a setback right as you received opportunities to play?
It was definitely a big setback. It was like my first time ever getting surgery, so I'm not gonna lie, I was pretty scared. I had surgery on my knee and hamstring, the nerve alongside my leg. It was a scary moment, but luckily my family was in Vallejo at the time so they were close by. I was able to go home, be bed-rested. My mom and pops took good care of me. Going through that experience was definitely scary, but it also fueled the fire, you know? I was definitely hungrier; actually, not even hungry, I was starving to get back. It really gave me the perspective of what some people out there go through being hurt or sick. To only have three limbs to function with for that time, it just made me more appreciative of what I have and what I'm able to do. I'm just grateful to be fully recovered, and to be back and playing the game I love.
 
In the three years after you were hurt, you finished your degree at Stanford and started working. What did that time away from football teach you and help you grow as a person?
As players we always hear about life after football, that football is not forever. It's not a lesson I was expecting to learn so early, but it gave me the perspective of what my life will look like after football and having to pivot and find something else I'm passionate about. During that time, I worked at the gym on campus, then I became a financial advisor with Northwestern Mutual. I also became a teacher, teaching a public speaking class over at Stanford. At the time, I was just focused on making the most money I could and staying busy, but while working those three different jobs, meeting and connecting with new people, and just seeing how life would look like once football is officially over, it gave me the head start to work on my foundation and start my growth towards joining the workforce.
  
What made you decide to return to football as you pursue your masters here at UH?
With the way I got hurt and got cut from the team at Stanford, I always wanted my football career to end on my own terms. So to have it cut short like that, I felt like I wasn't done. I feel like there's a lot for me to go out there and improve on as a football player. I know this is a place that I could come out to and play my best football and compete with the guys on the field, so it was an easy decision. I had to be patient and wait two years while focusing on school. But I always knew that I was going to come back and play football, whether that was here at UH or wherever I could get an opportunity. I'm grateful for this coaching staff and coach CB having that trust in me and giving me the opportunity to come out here and play again.
 
Did having your brother, your former coach, and your former teammates here affect your decision to come to UH?
Definitely, especially my little brother. Because that's family right there. That's blood. He just moved in with me. It's kind of cool because in high school, he was a freshman when I was a senior, so that was the first time we're ever been in school together. Now we're back in school together but this time it's college, so it's a whole different experience. We're both grown-ups now. But that definitely played a big role. Having my little brother here, it also makes it easier for the family to travel. And having Coach Brown and my former teammates here definitely played a factor. Also just the fact that it's Hawai'i too. A lot of people get to visit Hawaii, but not a lot get to live in Hawai'i.
  
You'll be starting your UH career in a familiar place as the team travels to Stanford for the season opener. Will that game carry any extra emotional weight for you?
I'm not typically someone that plays football with my emotions, but it's definitely going to be a personal one. But I'll try not to play too emotional, avoid unforced errors. I'm excited. I'm looking forward to it.

What do you like to do in your free time away from football?
I'm a big outdoors guy. I like hiking or going to the beach and walking on the beach, because those types of things help clear my mind. I also love bowling. A lot of players like to golf outside of football. For me, it's bowling. I'm also a big movie and TV guy, so I'm always watching something, if I'm not playing football, or at school. 

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Players Mentioned

Elijah Palmer

#4 Elijah Palmer

DB
5' 8"
Junior
Ben Hudson

#17 Ben Hudson

LB
6' 2"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Elijah Palmer

#4 Elijah Palmer

5' 8"
Junior
DB
Ben Hudson

#17 Ben Hudson

6' 2"
Senior
LB