Get To Know Your 'Birds
This weeks feature is entitled "Shoulder Pads & Batting Gloves" written by Bret Lasky
Shorebirds left fielder Kyle Hudson made a full extension diving catch to rob a double against the Lakewood BlueClaws during the opening week of the season. Those who know him best shouldn't be surprised he was able to haul in the baseball. He spent seven years catching passes from quarterbacks between his years at Mattoon High School and the University of Illinois. In fact, the athletic dynamo earned varsity letters in football, basketball, track and baseball while at Mattoon High School. Football was actually his first love. However, he made sure that he told all the colleges that recruited him that he also wanted to play baseball.
As soon as Hudson arrived in Champaign, Illinois, he made an immediate impact in the Fall for the football team. He caught 31 passes for a team-best 469 yards and a touchdown. Hudson, the deep threat for the Illini, averaged 15.1 yards a catch. Surprisingly, he did not play on the baseball team that first Spring.
As a collegian he was forced to juggle both sports and the task of handling his school work. He always lifted with the football team, which meant that he never had a chance to play summer collegiate baseball (Cape Cod Baseball, Northwoods League, etc.) due to Spring practice. As the years wore on, things settled for Kyle and the challenges of figuring out his schedule became easier.
The next year, Hudson led the Illinois wide receivers in catches (30), yards (403) and touchdowns (3). Against Indiana that year, he caught three balls for 93 yards and two touchdowns. A new quarterback took the reigns that year, Isiah "Juice" Williams. The football team struggled to a mark of 2-10. That Spring was a busy one for Hudson. He began to play for the Illinois baseball team. In 35 games, he hit a team-best .375 with 10 stolen bases.
In 2007, Hudson's role on the football team was somewhat reduced. Even with that being said, he still contributed 12 catches for 127 yards and a touchdown. The Illini football team had its best year in the schools history. They went 9-3, which included a win over then #1 Ohio State in Columbus, 28-21. Illinois represented the Big Ten in the Rose Bowl that year, but were beat up by USC 49-17. In 2007, Hudson's role on the baseball squad was that of an All-American. He hit .351 with 28 RBIs and four triples.
The following year, Hudson decided to finally give up football to focus on baseball. It turned out to be a good decision. He recorded the second best single-season batting average in Illinois baseball history of .398. That summer, the Baltimore Orioles tabbed him as their fourth round selection in the First Year Player Draft. He was the fourth highest position player ever drafted from Illinois.
Through his time at the University of Illinois and still to this day, one of his best friends is current Pittsburgh Steelers running back and former Illini standout Rashard Mendenhall. In Mendenhall's final season at Illinois, he rushed for 1,742 yards and 17 touchdowns. Mendenhall was selected with the 23rd pick of the '08 NFL Draft. Hudson actually talks to Mendenhall on a regular basis and made a couple trips out to see him when he was rehabilitating an injury this offseason.
The NFL is where Hudson thought he would be before arriving at Illinois, but today the MLB is where he hopes to one day land.