Penn State portal acquisition provides Drew Allar with a chain moving security blanket

Kyron Hudson scouting report:

Penn State transfer portal acquisition Kyron Hudson's physical attributes immediately catch the eye. His film shows that he has all the tools to excel in contested catch situations against physical defenders, is a mauler in the run game, and is the model of consistency when it comes to moving the chains and extending possessions.

On the field, Hudson has showcased a strong ability to read and exploit zone coverage. His positional flexibility—playing both outside as a wide receiver and inside in the slot (80% to 20%, respectively)— can add to his value as a versatile weapon in Penn State's offense.  One of Hudson’s most notable traits is his route-running technique, particularly on short and intermediate routes where he breaks off of route stems with precision and fluidity. 

Hudson's physicality truly stands out in the run-blocking game. On tape, he has shown a clear desire to dominate defensive backs, frequently using his strength and aggression to manhandle opponents at the point of attack. His willingness to engage as a blocker and impose his will on defenders makes him a valuable asset in Penn State's ground game, contributing to his all-around value as a receiver who does the dirty work.

While Hudson’s skill set is promising, it is worth noting that his route tree at USC was somewhat limited.  Hudson’s bread and butter routes were typically curls, comebacks/post comebacks, square-ins, and the occasional smoke/bubble screen. USC showed a tendency to run a lot of half-field reads and primarily lined Hudson up on the left side of the formation, rarely moving him around. This often kept Hudson on the backside of plays. Additionally, USC quarterbacks Miller Moss and Jayden Maiava both displayed tendencies to flush out of the pocket to their right under pressure (which was frequent), further reducing the likelihood of Hudson being targeted from his left alignment. These factors may have constrained his opportunities to showcase the full range of his abilities, but they also leave room for growth as he transitions to offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s system at Penn State.

Despite his strengths, Hudson does not possess elite top-end speed, which can limit his ability to stretch the field against faster, top-tier defensive backs. Hudson separates well through technique and ability to analyze the coverages he faces, but he lacks the explosiveness to consistently beat defenders deep.

Hudson displays average agility and burst on tape, which, while sufficient, also places a ceiling on his ability to make defenders miss after the catch. This will likely require him to rely on his physicality and route-running to maximize his production in Penn State's offensive system, in tandem with offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki scheming to Hudson’s strengths.

As the Nittany Lions look to continue to bolster their offense through the Spring, Hudson’s skill set complements their addition of Troy wide receiver Devonte Ross extremely well. His size, consistency, and ability to win in contested situations make him a valuable addition, particularly in third-down and red-zone scenarios.

Kyron Hudson may not arrive in Happy Valley with the hype of a five-star recruit or a top 5 transfer portal wide receiver, but his blend of reliability, physicality, and ability to consistently move the chains when called upon will provide Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with a security blanket to help fill the void created with the departure of tight end Tyler Warren.