James Hudson III Bio
James Hudson III (born May 13, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 196 cm tall and weighing 142 kg, Hudson plays the tackle position and has been active in professional football since 2021. He previously spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the 2021 NFL draft.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Hudson played college football for both the Michigan Wolverines and the Cincinnati Bearcats before turning professional. He earned recognition as a First-team All-American Athletic Conference selection during his lone season as a starter at Cincinnati. As of 2025, Hudson continues his NFL career with the Giants after signing a two-year contract in March of that year.
Early Life and Background
James Hudson III was born on May 13, 1999, in Toledo, Ohio, United States. He grew up in the Toledo area and attended Central Catholic High School, where he began developing as a football player. His background in the Midwest region shaped his early athletic development and exposure to competitive football.
Hudson came from an environment that supported his athletic ambitions, eventually leading him to pursue football at the collegiate level. His physical attributes and skill set made him a promising prospect as he transitioned from high school to college athletics. The combination of size and athleticism he developed in his formative years set the foundation for his future career as an offensive tackle.
Path to American Football
Hudson’s path to professional football began at the University of Michigan, where he started his collegiate career with the Wolverines. He redshirted his true freshman year while undergoing a position change from defensive line to offensive tackle. As a redshirt freshman, he appeared in three games for Michigan before deciding to transfer.
After leaving Michigan, Hudson chose to continue his career at the University of Cincinnati, joining the Bearcats program. Per NCAA transfer rules, he sat out the regular season of his first year with Cincinnati after a waiver to play immediately was denied. He started in the 2020 Birmingham Bowl at the end of that regular season. As a redshirt junior, Hudson started all 11 of Cincinnati’s games and earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. Following that season, he announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL draft.
James Hudson III Career
Early Career (2021–2024)
James Hudson III began his professional career when he was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round with the 110th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The pick was acquired by Cleveland in a trade that sent Genard Avery to the Philadelphia Eagles. Shortly after the draft, on May 18, 2021, Hudson signed his four-year rookie contract with the Browns, worth $4.16 million.
During his time with Cleveland from 2021 through 2024, Hudson developed as an offensive tackle and contributed to the Browns’ offensive line. His four-year rookie contract covered the entirety of his Browns tenure, providing stability as he continued to refine his craft at the professional level.
Cleveland Browns Era (2021–2024)
Hudson spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns after being drafted in 2021. As a young offensive tackle, he worked to establish himself in the league, learning from veteran players and gaining experience against top-tier defensive ends. His development during this period positioned him for his next professional opportunity.
The Browns’ investment in Hudson through a four-year rookie deal demonstrated their confidence in his potential as a long-term contributor on the offensive line. By the end of his contract, Hudson had gained significant NFL experience and was prepared to test the market as a free agent.
New York Giants Era (2025–Present)
On March 13, 2025, James Hudson III signed a two-year contract with the New York Giants, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move brought him to a New York-based franchise looking to bolster its offensive line depth. His contract runs through the 2027 season, providing him with multi-year security at his new club.
Early in his Giants tenure, Hudson was called upon as a starter in place of the injured Andrew Thomas. During the week two game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 14, 2025, he committed four fouls in six plays on the first drive, including two false starts and two unnecessary roughness personal fouls, costing the Giants 40 yards and leading to him being benched for Marcus Mbow. The moment served as a challenging introduction to his role with the Giants.
Driving Style and Strengths
As an offensive tackle, Hudson relies on his size and physicality to handle opposing pass rushers and create running lanes. His positional versatility, developed through his college transition from defensive line to offensive tackle, gives him insight into defensive schemes and pass-rush techniques.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early moments of Hudson’s Giants career came during the 2025 week two game against Dallas, where a sequence of penalties on a single drive led to his benching. The episode highlighted the challenges of adjusting to a new team and stepping into a starting role under pressure.
James Hudson III Career Wins
James Hudson III’s career achievements include his recognition as a First-team All-American Athletic Conference selection in 2020. His primary on-field accomplishments stem from his collegiate success at Cincinnati and his continued presence in the NFL as an offensive tackle.
Collegiate Highlights
During his lone season as a starter at Cincinnati in 2020, Hudson started all 11 games and earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors. His performance that season established him as one of the top offensive tackle prospects in the country, leading to his decision to enter the 2021 NFL draft. The Birmingham Bowl start earlier in his Cincinnati career also marked an early milestone in his college trajectory.
Other Performances
Hudson appeared in three games as a redshirt freshman at Michigan before transferring to Cincinnati, gaining limited but valuable early experience at the collegiate level. His progression from a redshirt year at Michigan to an All-Conference selection at Cincinnati illustrates his developmental arc.
James Hudson III Family
Family Background and Lineage
James Hudson III hails from Toledo, Ohio, where he grew up and attended Central Catholic High School. His family name and background in the Toledo community provided the foundation for his athletic journey into football. The Hudson family supported his path from high school through college and into the professional ranks.
Personal Life
James Hudson III is known by the nickname or reference often associated with his name, “James Hudson III,” which reflects his family lineage. He maintains a presence on social media through his Instagram account. As of the most recent verified information, details regarding his spouse and children have not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season marks James Hudson III’s first year with the New York Giants after signing a two-year contract in March. He joined the team as a depth option at offensive tackle and was called upon to start in place of the injured Andrew Thomas. His early-season role positioned him as a key rotational and injury-replacement player along the Giants’ offensive line.
During the week two matchup against the Dallas Cowboys on September 14, 2025, Hudson’s starting stint produced a difficult sequence that resulted in his benching. The game served as an early indicator of the challenges he faces in adjusting to a new offensive system and earning consistent playing time with the Giants.
Looking ahead through the remainder of the 2025 season and beyond, Hudson’s two-year contract with New York provides him with an opportunity to solidify his role on the roster. His performance in spot-start situations and his development within the Giants’ offensive scheme will likely determine his long-term trajectory with the franchise.