Hudson Card: Possible landing spots for Texas transfer QB
AUSTIN, Texas (BVM) – It has been reported that Texas Longhorns redshirt sophomore quarterback Hudson Card is entering the transfer portal. Card came in for starting quarterback Quinn Ewers during the Alabama game after Ewers was injured. The former four-star recruit would go on to start three more games this season. Card had a 69.4% completion rate with 928 passing yards, six touchdowns and just one interception. He went 2-1 in games he started with his best game coming against West Virginia in a 38-20 win for the Longhorns.
Card was a highly-touted dual-threat quarterback recruit out of high school. After attending high school at the same school that Baker Mayfield attended (Lake Travis) and playing with current New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson, Longhorn fans were excited about Card’s future. His redshirt freshman season had its ups and downs but then this offseason, he was in a heated quarterback competition with Ewers who did eventually win out. With Ewers as the starter and Arch Manning coming to Austin next year, it makes sense that Card would want to look elsewhere to continue his collegiate career.
It is believed Card’s main priorities are “winning and finding a place that fits his skill set to continue to develop.” There are plenty of options but here are some of the best landing spots for Card.
Longshot:
Alabama
The Crimson Tide was one of the teams that was originally recruiting Card out of Lake Travis. They obviously didn’t get him but they have a second chance to win him over. Alabama’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Bryce Young should be entering the NFL Draft this season and will likely be the top quarterback prospect in the draft. Alabama does have redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe and freshman Ty Simpson currently on the roster and they will also be adding four-star quarterbacks Dylan Lonergan and Eli Holstein. However, there is not a lot of experience on the roster and after the uncharacteristically bad season Alabama had this year, adding Card could be a solid insurance package.
The question will come down to if Alabama wants to grab him from the transfer portal and if Card is willing to compete again for the starting spot. If he does, then Card could be competing to start for the Crimson Tide next season.
Ohio State
The Buckeyes haven’t had to use the transfer portal to much in recent years but they might be looking for a quarterback from the portal real soon. C.J. Stroud should be heading to the draft and although they do have options at quarterback on the roster, looking for a veteran through the portal makes sense. Day recruited Card when he was in high school. Card would also be joining a program that has become well know for producing impressive wide receiver talent. What quarterback wouldn’t want to throw to Marvin Harrison Jr.
More likely:
NC State
The Wolfpack’s current offensive coordinator and QB coach, Tim Beck, was one of the main guys who originally recruited Card to Texas. Beck is now at NC State and his relationship with Card could lead to a reunion. The Wolfpack went 8-4 this season and are ranked 25th in the nation. It is widely believed that freshman MJ Morris is the future of the program but the addition of Card would be huge for an NC State team that wants to stay competitive in the ACC. Card would add veteran leadership and a great personality in the locker room along with his talents out on the field.
TCU
The Horned Frogs have been one of the better surprises of the 2022 season and are poised for their first ever College Football Playoff appearance. Max Duggan is a Heisman candidate and has been getting NFL Draft buzz for his part in TCU’s undefeated season. If Duggan does leave for the draft, Card would be a perfect replacement for the Horned Frogs and would allow the team to try to double down on its newfound dominance of the Big 12. Card would also get the development he is looking for in an offense that would allow Card to thrive. However, Card would be in for another quarterback battle with Chandler Morris, who originally won the starting spot for TCU before injury opened the door for Duggan to take over.
Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish and first–year head coach Marcus Freeman were able to salvage their season after a poor start. However, Notre Dame is believed to be actively looking for other quarterback options. The team struggled on the offensive side of the ball at times and Card has the arm talent they are looking for. Notre Dame does have Drew Pyne but if they are not certain if they want Pyne under center, bringing in Card would make a lot of sense for a Notre Dame team that wants to do better than 8-4.
UTSA
The Roadrunners had a great season this year but senior quarterback Frank Harris might not be back. If Harris doesn’t return, Card could easily come in and take over for a UTSA team that just went 10-2. The Roadrunners also have an inside track to Card because his former offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Lake Travis, Will Stein, is the co-offensive coordinator at UTSA. Card will definitely be in a position to win and would be working with someone who helped be one of the top high school prospects in the nation when he was Lake Travis.
