MAGNOLIA, Ark. – Former Southern Arkansas All-American tight end Tanner Hudson has signed an undrafted free agent agreement with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). The singing came shortly after the conclusion of the 2018 NFL Draft on Saturday night.
 
With Hudson's signing, SAU has now had four undrafted free agent signings since 2004. Hudson joins the likes of Jordan Babineaux (Seattle Seahawks, 2004), Cedric Thornton (Philadelphia Eagles, 2011) and Don Unamba (St. Louis Rams, 2013). Babineaux and Thornton went on to make NFL rosters and play in the league, while Unamba has caught on in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
 
This past season, Hudson was an All-GAC First Team selection and garnered All-America acclaim through three separate media outlets. A native of Camden, Tennessee, Hudson led the team and ranked sixth in the GAC in receiving yards with 624. Hudson also ranked second on the team and led all GAC tight ends in receptions and receiving touchdowns with 43 catches and six scores.
 
In each of his last three seasons, Hudson caught at least 40 passes for over 600 yards and had at least six touchdowns. For his career, Hudson totaled 143 receptions for 2,152 yards and 25 touchdowns. He culminated his collegiate career by being named Offensive MVP of the National Bowl game after leading all players in receptions (7) and receiving yards (117), while also catching two touchdown passes.