Chad Hudson didn’t accept his role of Director of Canadian Scouting with the Ottawa REDBLACKS expecting glitz and glam, and in his third CFL Draft with the club, it’s something he has come to love.
All season long, Hudson has been working behind the scenes to get comfortable with this year’s class of players, spending hours on end on the road, visiting a long list of NCAA schools, as well as every U SPORTS school at one point or another. His attention to detail is impressive, and his dedication to his craft is commendable.
For most of the year, Hudson is the only member of the front office focusing on the draft, meaning his work is beyond important.
“The other guys have a bunch of different jobs, whether it’s doing pro personnel, American college, all kinds of other stuff,” Hudson said. “I try to streamline the process for them to have things ready for them, so that when they are able to step in pre-combine, the first reports are written, and the character stuff is all there.”
Hudson may know enough to build a draft board all by himself, but the opinions of others are valuable to him.
“I require that validation and their opinions,” Hudson said. “That truly makes it a complete evaluation. They’re all smart guys and great evaluators, and I need them.”
Having done this job for as many years as he has, including his 10 years of experience in various roles with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hudson says things have gotten a little easier, and he’s grown more confident over time.
“It does [get easier] in some ways,” he said. “It gets easier to read people, build a strategy, and predict what other teams are going to do, but the process is always the same. It’s a grind, you’re on the road talking to players and coaches for months at a time.”
Holding the second overall pick in this year’s draft, the REDBLACKS have a pivotal decision to make on April 30th.
They won’t know for certain who’s off the board when they pick until it’s official, but already, Hudson says there’s a handful of different options and numerous plans in place. There’s still some work to do, but the process is drawing to its closing stages.
“We’re pretty clear on the path,” Hudson said. “We know what we’re going to do, although some of it depends on what the NFL does. We have a plan, and there are some really good options.”
The NFL Draft happens Thursday night, and into the weekend. As avid football fans around the country tune in to see who their favourite team picks, Hudson will be doing the same, both out of curiosity and planning.
“As a fan, I love football, so I’ll be watching it with the fellas, and we’re going to love it,” Hudson said. “There’s also going to be a keen interest in Canadians who get picked, for sure, and then guys who get mini camp or free agent deals.”
Hope springs eternal for everyone at this time of year. Every team looks good on paper, and everyone is 0-0, but this time, Hudson firmly believes the REDBLACKS are heading down the right path.
“This is maybe the best offseason with any team I’ve ever been a part of,” Hudson said. “We came up with a plan, and our guys executed it. We’re excited about the quarterback situation, but it’s not just that position that we have great players. We have an influx of talent I didn’t think we’d see, and that’s a credit to our scouting staff. I have such high hopes for the season.”
