The Ahmad Hudson flip watch has been running all summer with rumors that he could end up in Nebraska. The recruiting industry now expects it to end with the nation’s top tight end in purple and gold.

Rivals’ industry consensus RPM gives LSU a 95.9% chance to sign the Ruston star, with Nebraska at just 2.3%. That’s a big swing from late August, when On3’s Steve Wiltfong said a final decision was coming and that he expected it to go the Cornhuskers way.

Hudson committed to LSU and Lane Kiffin on May 3rd after narrowing his decision to LSU and Nebraska the month before. The pledge didn’t end his recruitment. He took an official visit to Nebraska on June 5th, and the Huskers have been heavily involved since. After that trip, Hudson told Rivals that Nebraska “would change the whole offense for me.”

He came right back to Baton Rouge and after an official visit to LSU later that month, Hudson said the Tigers were still in a great spot and that he wanted to give Nebraska a fair chance even though he was committed.

The concern peaked in August. Hudson told Inside Nebraska that the program he’d least expect to be recruiting him hard was doing its job, while the one he expected the most from wasn’t.

The Basketball Factor

Hudson wants to play both sports in college, and that’s been Nebraska’s biggest selling point. Cornhuskers basketball coach Fred Hoiberg has made it clear he’s happy to share Hudson with the football program. Nebraska is also coming off a Sweet Sixteen run, while LSU went 15-17 and missed the tournament.

On LSU’s side, Will Wade is also very interested in having Hudson play for him, and Hudson told Tiger Rag “count me in” as a dual LSU football/basketball commit.

Why LSU Holds the Edge

Roots matter here. Hudson’s father, Antonio Hudson, played guard at LSU from 2001 to 2005, and LSU also offered Ahmad’s younger brother, 2030 athlete Branson Hudson.

Ahmad’s play style fits perfectly on the field at LSU. Rivals compares Hudson to current LSU tight end Trey’Dez Green, noting both are tall, long tight ends with huge catch radiuses who win contested catches. He measured around 6-foot-6, 245 pounds before his senior season.

He’s extremely productive. As a junior in 2025, Hudson caught 61 passes for 960 yards and 12 touchdowns in 14 games for Ruston. On the court, he averaged 19.7 points, 13.4 rebounds and 2.7 blocks and was named Louisiana’s Mr. Basketball.

What’s Next

Nebraska isn’t done trying to recruit Hudson. The Cornhuskers are trying to get him to Lincoln for their October 10th game against Indiana. Until he signs, LSU fans should keep an eye on that date.

For now, Hudson remains the headliner of Kiffin’s 2027 class. Rivals industry is betting that he stays put in Baton Rouge.

— Eric Palmer, TigerSources