We hope you enjoy the final installment of our five-part Virtual Homecoming Week Zoom Series where we sit down with former Mulerider Student-Athletes to discuss their time at Southern Arkansas and what they are up to now. SAU Director of Athletic Communications Jacob Pumphrey sits down with former Mulerider Football standout and current Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tight End Tanner Hudson. A two-time All-America honoree during his time as a Mulerider as well as a Great American Conference All-Decade selection, Hudson shares his journey to becoming a Mulerider, what it's like playing on Sundays in the National Football League and what Southern Arkansas University means to him.
 
"Tanner Hudson Makes an Impact" (Article appeared in The Stater Winter 2020):
The football life of former Southern Arkansas Football All-American Tanner Hudson took a big step forward in the fall of 2019 as the athletic tight end earned his way onto the 53-man roster of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. An undrafted free agent signed by the Bucs in 2018, Hudson spent a majority of that season on Tampa Bay's practice squad before being promoted to the main roster for the final two games of the 2018 regular season.
 
However, in the 2019 preseason, Hudson emerged as a potential roster mainstay after an impressive four-game stretch which saw #88 catch 19 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns on 28 targets. The touchdown total led all NFL pass catchers, while his receptions and yards ranked second in the league during that time.
 
In early September, the Buccaneers announced the Hudson was a part of the team's initial 53-man roster and on October 27, the Camden, Tennessee, native was activated for the first time in his career which came before a Week 8 matchup against the Titans in his home state of Tennessee. The following week, Hudson recorded his first career reception as he hauled in a 12-yard pass early in the fourth quarter in a road game against the Seattle Seahawks.
 
In a 2020 season that has featured a shortened training camp and a deeper tight end room, Hudson earned a spot on Tampa Bay's practice squad prior to the regular season opener. However, before the Buccaneers' Week 5 game vs. the Bears in Chicago, Hudson was again activated. The third-year pro hauled in a reception of nine yards from new teammate and legendary quarterback Tom Brady.
 
A two-time All-American and a three-time All-Great American Conference performer as a Mulerider, Hudson caught 143 passes for 2,152 yards and 25 touchdowns. His receiving touchdowns rank third all-time in program history, while his totals in yards and receptions rank fourth and fifth, respectively.
 
In each of his final three seasons in Magnolia, the athletic tight end recorded at least 40 receptions for over 600 yards with at least six touchdown grabs. 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. In October of 2019, Hudson was named to the National Bowl's All-Decade Team and three months later he was named a member of the GAC's All-Decade Team.