LSU has added another defender to its 2027 class, and this one comes with Louisiana ties that mattered all the way through the finish.
Three-star linebacker JaMarquis Hudson, a Port Arthur Memorial standout from Texas, has flipped his commitment from Kansas to LSU. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound prospect gives the Tigers another piece on the defensive side and keeps their recruiting momentum rolling.
Hudson’s path to Baton Rouge was built quickly after LSU jumped into his recruitment following Port Arthur Memorial’s loss to La Porte on October 9. From there, the connection deepened, and the pull of home became hard to ignore.
“My family, they’ve been big fans of the LSU Tigers because I’m originally from Louisiana, but I’ve been playing football in Texas my whole life,” Hudson told TigerBait ahead of his visit to LSU on Thursday. “So getting the offer from them and them following my recruitment, it shows a lot.
“And I got a chance to stay home in my home state and play football. That’s a big thing for me.”
Even though Hudson has played his entire football career in Texas, his family’s Louisiana roots gave LSU an edge. Both of his parents are from St. Mary Parish, and that connection helped make Baton Rouge feel familiar before he ever made the move.
“Really, just my family being able to come see me, actually being closer,” Hudson said. “And my family was already LSU fans, so I really don’t have to get my people acclimated to being at LSU.
“Everybody already knows the culture, knows the ‘Go Tigers.’ And it’s really a better chance for me, in my opinion.”
LSU’s defensive structure also stood out to Hudson, along with the relationships he built with the staff. He pointed to coordinator Blake Baker’s scheme as a fit for the way he sees himself developing.
Hudson knows his frame still needs work. At 180 pounds, he said he plans to add at least 20 pounds before he can become an every-down linebacker in the SEC. But he believes his speed, coverage skills and pass-rush ability make him a strong match for what LSU wants to do.
“If you look at me now, you’ll be like, ‘Well, he’s not a linebacker. He’s 6-3 and 180,’” Hudson said. “I’m nowhere close to being the size, but I do plan on putting on at least 20 pounds and being able to play the Will linebacker, outside the box, in the box and blitzing off the edge.
“Because my skill set, I’m very fast off the edge. I can use my hands, and I’ve got great coverage skills. So just using my abilities in those situations.”
He also liked how Baker uses different body types and skill sets across the defense.
“How dynamic they are. The different sizes in the defense and the different skill sets,” Hudson said. “I like how they look for certain skill sets to do a specific job and how they can bend around their defense in a lot of ways.”
Linebackers coach Chris Kiffin was another major factor. Hudson said the two stayed in close contact throughout the process.
“I talk to Coach Kiffin a lot,” Hudson said. “Daily, he’d send me graphics.
We’d text each other, ‘Good morning.’ He’d send me ‘Have a good day’ texts.
A little motivation call here and there. But we’ve got a good relationship.”
Hudson added that Kiffin’s honesty stood out to him.
“He’s very stand-up. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything,” Hudson said. “I really like that out of coaches.”
LSU also had help from another commit. Five-star LSU pledge Ahmad Hudson stayed in touch with Jamarquis during the process and helped strengthen the Tigers’ push, even though the two are not related.
They first met at a Navy All-American event and will both play in the U.S. Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio in January.
“When I first met him, we were pretty cool. We had a lot in common,” Jamarquis said.
“We’ve both got the same last name, so when we met each other, people were already saying we’re cousins. So we just went with it.
We basically said we’re cousins.”
Hudson now becomes the 16th commitment in LSU’s 2027 class and the first linebacker. With TJ Dottery leaving and Whit Weeks potentially on the way out, the Tigers needed help at the position, and Hudson gives them a versatile option with room to grow.
His junior season numbers back up the upside: 105 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four interceptions and five pass breakups. He’s also reportedly been timed at 4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
Hudson originally committed to Kansas because of the relationships he built there and the welcoming feel of that visit. But LSU’s family connection, the chance to stay close to home and the fit in Baker’s defense ultimately won out.
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