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Barrow football star headed to Mayville state

June 29th 7:33 pm | Van Williams Print this article   Email this article   Create a Shortlink for this article

There was never a doubt Trace Hudson would play college football, it was just a matter of where.

Now we know.

The former Barrow High School star will take his talents to Mayville State in North Dakota, where he hopes to play wide receiver and running back.

"Honestly, I will play anywhere," he said. "I just want to play, you know?"

Hudson was an electric playmaker as a senior last year with the Whalers. He scored a total of 17 touchdowns in 10 games, helping the Whalers go 7-2 and advance to the state championship game.

"The kid's got some good moves," Barrow coach Brad Igou said. "I thought he was one of the best running backs in the state."

He rushed for 1,030 yards and 14 TDs. He averaged 8.3 yards per carry and his longest run was 55 yards.

As a receiver, he caught 15 passes for 436 yards and 3 TDs. One of his scores was a 65-yarder.

"I just think, 'evade and score' " Hudson said.

At linebacker, he registered 49 tackles, 2 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.

He has two-way ability, but Hudson would like to stay on the offensive side of the ball in college.

"I think I do like offense more because I feel that it comes more natural to me," he said. "I feel like I have to try a little harder on defense, so I think that maybe I was born for offense."

In a way, he was.

His dad, Chris Battle, was an NAIA All-American running back in 1998 at Ottawa University in Kansas.

Now Hudson is following his dad's path to college football.

"This was part of the plan," Hudson said. "I'm pretty excited. My dad told me about his college experience. He showed me film and it looks like it was a great experience and might even change a person's life."

Hudson had other choices, including Willamette University in Oregon and Pacific Lutheran University in Washington.

In the end, though, Mayville State was the best fit.

"He's looking forward to it," Igou said. "He's working real hard. Trace is very capable of going to a school and performing at the next level."

Like father, like son.

"It's what's been on my mind this whole summer," Hudson said. "I've been nonstop in the weight room, just preparing for this next step. It's what I want to do. I have a passion for the sport."

Other Barrow all-stars — Nathaniel Samuelu and Darius Samuelu — are looking to play college football as well.

Nathaniel Samuelu was his division's Defensive Player of the Year last year. The 6-foot, 255-pounder is an outstanding lineman who has a college-ready game.

"I played D1 ball and I know Nate can compete," Igou said. "If somebody would just give Nate a shot ... he's one of the best one-one-one blockers I've seen.

"He the defensive MVP but to be honest with you his best position is offensive guard. That's where I see him playing at the next level."

Reach Van Williams at sports@reportalaska.com.

 

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