Transferring to Purdue from Texas, Hudson Card could be the next Boilermakers’ QB to make a splash in the NFL Draft. Card’s scouting report is still incomplete, but already, he’s shown promise as a professional prospect.
Hudson Card Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’2″
- Weight: 210 pounds
- Position: Quarterback
- School: Purdue
- Current Year: Redshirt Junior
Across generations, the Boilermakers have laid claim to NFL talent at QB. Drew Brees, a future Hall of Famer, is the team’s most prestigious product. But NFL passers like Jim Everett, Kyle Orton, Curtis Painter, and Raiders rookie Aidan O’Connell all got their start in West Lafayette, as well.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Top Quarterback Prospects
Card didn’t start out at Purdue, but that’s where he’ll start the next chapter of his football career. He spent three years with the Texas Longhorns, completing 127 of 194 attempts (65.5%) for 1,523 yards, 11 touchdowns, and two interceptions in a limited sample size.
Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns moved forward with five-star talent Quinn Ewers in 2023, but Card — a four-star recruit in his own right — will get his chance to be Purdue’s full-time starter under new head coach Ryan Walters. Does he have the traits to carry that title and carry the torch for Purdue’s NFL QB pipeline?
Hudson Card Scouting Report
Strengths
- Flashes above-average short-range velocity and can maintain some pace off-platform.
- Has the arm angle freedom to adjust situational placement with release points.
- Has passable baseline explosiveness, agility, and evasive ability in the pocket.
- Steady, poised pocket passer who can sense pressure and escape through outlets.
- Smooth, level-shouldered rotational thrower with a quick, efficient release.
- Can properly sequence his footwork in the quick game, placing his front foot accurately.
- Can snap his back foot into place on his first hitch, and roll his hips as he steps up.
- Mechanically sound, controlled, and accurate passer who helps WRs with precise placing.
- Shows incredible situational placement on seam passes, which only WRs can reach.
- Has shown he can anticipate breaks on comebacks and maximize response time.
- Knows how to keep his eyes ahead on the dropback to hold safeties and open windows.
- Able to work left-to-right and can quickly process leverage and trigger on second reads.
- Cool pocket operator who can step up, roll shoulders past rushers, and navigate space.
- Stellar decision-maker who takes calculated risks but also takes what’s given.
- Has the wherewithal and discretion to throw it away when cornered against the sideline.
Weaknesses
- Arm strength is close to average, and he only carries decent intermediate velocity.
- Doesn’t have the arm strength to consistently push deep throws past tight coverage.
- Off-script passes into the deep third sometimes stall out and flutter ahead of targets.
- Is not a high-level athlete or creator, posing mobility as a bonus, rather than a key trait.
- Can be easily swallowed up by unblocked pursuit defenders in tight situations.
- Shoulder alignment is less stable when working off-platform, and can be tugged high.
- Struggles to fully torque his hips and maintain release efficiency when rolling left.
- Occasionally exhibits a slight heel click on quick passes, locking out hips to a degree.
- Sometimes lurches at the top of his drop and turtles when pressure surrounds him.
- Can be choppy when redirecting in the pocket, affecting recalibration speed.
- At times, has room to be more patient before triggering on low-probability 50-50 balls.
- Frame is leaner than average, which could cause durability issues down the line.
- Only has 194 career passing attempts entering 2023.
Current Draft Projection and Summary
Though his sample size is limited to this point, Card grades out as a mid-Day 3 prospect on my 2024 NFL Draft board. He doesn’t have as much riser potential as his former teammate Quinn Ewers, but already, Card has displayed a number of quality traits in a strong NFL backup QB. And in the Day 3 range, he’d be an excellent investment as a safety blanket.
As a prospect, Card has some intriguing similarities to Kirk Cousins. His arm is weaker than Cousins’ by a good margin, which may prevent him from ever sustaining a starting role at the NFL level. But Card has a similar brand of functional — if staccato and non-threatening — mobility. He has a lot of operational strength as well.
Card’s frame is relatively lean, but he’s tougher than expected. He’s a poised, clean pocket operator with excellent accuracy and precision, good processing ability, and impressive discretion as a decision-maker.
He can stay on schedule and take what’s given by the defense, but he’s also very willing to take calculated risks and maximize those opportunities with precise placement.
On top of all these operational boons, Card has good arm elasticity and angle freedom, which helps him adjust his trajectory and work off-script. He’s a slightly above-average creator with excellent intangibles, mechanical control, toughness, and football IQ.
He should be one of the first 2024 NFL Draft passers in the Day 3 bucket — so long as he capitalizes on his opportunity at Purdue.
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