UCLA Freshman Spotlight: Jadyn Hudson

"Several incoming freshmen talents also have the chance to make waves, including safety Jadyn Hudson," wrote the Daily Bruin.

"The Pittsburg, California, local amassed 34 tackles and seven interceptions during his senior season at Pittsburg High School and is a four-star recruit according to ESPN. The first-year student is joined by a pair of standout cornerbacks, LaRue Zamorano III and Chase Coleman, four- and three-star recruits, respectively."

While Foster's 2025 secondary class isn't ranked as high as 2026, Hudson has the potential to do some great damage for this team in the years to come. 247Sports ranked him as a three-star (borderline 4), but their scouts were still shocked at the sheer talent he displayed through his junior and senior seasons as part of Pittsburg High School in the San Joaquin Valley of California.

"Hudson has been a key two-way player for one of the state’s top programs since his freshman year," wrote Greg Biggins, 247Sports' national recruiting analyst. "He has started at safety and receiver, but will play in the secondary at the college level. A complete safety who shows plenty of range, high-level ball skills, attacks the football in the air and has high-level football instincts." "

He’s a highly intelligent player, a vocal leader on the defense, and always seems to be around the football. He can play in the box, is strong in run support, and isn’t afraid to get downhill and lay the wood on an opposing ball carrier."

"He can play sideline to sideline and does a nice job getting off blocks and tackling in space. He’s a plus athlete who can run and has a nice physical edge to him. His athleticism pops on offense as well as he’s a gifted receiver who runs well after the catch."

He has a lean 6-2 frame and will need to add some size and strength to his body to hold up at the college level but he has all the traits and skill set to be an impact player. Projects as a high Power 4 prospect, multi-year starter and an NFL upside as well."

Leaning on his teammates will be Key:

While there's little chance that he'll be shoved into the starting roster right away, if at all in 2025, Hudson has plenty of leaders he can lean on and learn from while he's on the sidelines. Most notably, transfer safety Key Lawrence.

Lawrence originally started his collegiate career at Oklahoma, but transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels after 36 appearances for the Sooners. He only played 4 games at Mississippi before re-entering the transfer portal, finding his righteous home at UCLA.

"Lawrence is the projected box safety starter and will be one of the most important figures in the Bruins' pass defense this season, amongst an overhauled group of defenders," wrote Connor Moreno of UCLA Bruins on SI.

"The former Sooner joins a revamped and deep Bruins secondary group. Other impact safeties include Arizona State transfer Cole Martin, UCLA returner Croix Stewart, and UCF transfer Bryon Threats."

Malloe also had great praise for the transfer safety and was especially impressed by the fact that he's taken on a leadership role within the defense.

"In the secondary, Key Lawrence is doing a great job," Malloe said. "His leadership skills are stepping up, and you can see it carry over to the field, as well as off the field. In the meeting rooms, he's taking a leadership role there, and [players] are holding separate meetings by themselves. They're really taking the initiative to grasp this scheme."

That being said, Hudson has time to learn the ins and outs of UCLA's scheme and he'll be ready when his number is eventually called upon.