Kansas took a hit in its 2027 recruiting class on Sunday when three-star linebacker JaMarquis Hudson backed off his pledge and flipped to LSU.
Hudson had committed to the Jayhawks on June 14 after an official visit to Lawrence, but the Tigers kept pressing all the way through his senior season and eventually pulled him away. The Port Arthur Memorial High School standout in Texas made another trip to Baton Rouge over the weekend for LSU’s game against Alabama, and that visit helped seal the change.
A big part of Hudson’s decision came down to family ties. Even though he has played his high school football in Texas, he has roots in Louisiana, and his family has long been behind LSU. In an interview with TigerBait, Hudson said his family has always been big fans of the Tigers and that the chance to return to his home state mattered in the process.
Being closer to home also played into it, since it would give his family a better chance to see him play more often. Hudson also pointed to the relationships he built with LSU’s coaching staff and the fit in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s scheme.
On the field, Hudson brings a productive and disruptive resume. As a junior, he piled up 105 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and four interceptions at Port Arthur Memorial. Those numbers show why he’s viewed as a versatile linebacker who can handle the run, get after the quarterback and help in coverage.
TigerBait’s recruiting coverage also noted that Hudson believes his skill set will let him take on multiple roles in LSU’s defense as he keeps developing physically.
For Kansas, the flip stings. Hudson had been viewed as a key piece for the linebacker room, and the Jayhawks had won his commitment over several other Power Four programs before LSU turned the race around.
For LSU, the Tigers add another defensive piece and pick up their first linebacker commitment in the 2027 class.
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