Terrell Hudgins


Terrell Hudgins is an American football coach and former wide receiver who set NCAA records in college as a player for Elon University. He was temporarily a member of the Dallas Cowboys off-season/practice squad before being signed by the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. He is now the head football coach at Rocky Mount Academy.

Early life

He is the son of Darius and Leslie Hudgins of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Hudgins was a three-year starter at quarterback during his high school career at Rocky Mount High School and received the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Male Athlete of the Year Award during his senior year.
Hudgins, a three-sport athlete, finished his high school career as the school's career leader in yards passing, completions, attempts and touchdown passes.

College career

Hudgins was a starting wide receiver for Elon University from 2006 to 2010 and received numerous awards for his achievements on the field. Hudgins has been described by his coaches as a "Talented pass catcher with excellent hand-eye coordination...Quality person who has represented the Elon program well on campus and in the Alamance County community" and by the Rocky Mount Telegram as "Shakespeare — because all he does is make plays." While in college, Hudgins broke several of Jerry Rice's career records, including receiving yards and receptions.
Stated Elon football coach Pete Lembo, “It was a pleasure to coach and mentor Terrell for four years. I hold him in the highest regard. He was a great wide receiver, but more importantly he is one of the most genuine and sincere people I have ever been around. He made, and continues to make, a tremendous, positive impact on the university community. Terrell is passionate about football and about Elon – and that was clear every time he stepped on the field. By the time he was a senior, he developed a strong work ethic in practice and became a vocal leader on our 2009 team. His contributions, both in terms of productivity on the field and leadership behind the scenes, were key ingredients to the revitalization of our football program and first-ever trip to the FCS playoffs last year.”

College records

NCAA records:
  • 207 Combined receptions in one season
  • 395 Career receptions
  • 123 Receptions in a season
  • 8.8 Career receptions per game
  • 5,250 Career receiving yards
  • 116.7 Career average yards gained receiving per game
  • 28 Career games gaining 100 or more yards receiving
  • 1.2 Career touchdown passes caught per game
  • 34 Career games with a touchdown reception
  • 4 Career 1,000-yard receiving seasons
SoCon records:
  • 10 Games in a season with 100 or more receiving yards
  • 5 Consecutive games with 100 or more receiving yards
  • 2,538 Combined receiving yards in a season
  • 3 Career 200 or more receiving yard games
  • 52 Career receiving touchdowns
  • 1,633 Receiving yards in a season
Elon records:
  • 16 Receptions in a single game
  • 4 Touchdown receptions in a single game
  • 18 Touchdown receptions in a season

    Professional career

Hudgins worked out for a few professional teams, including the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos and New York Giants at Elon's pro-day. He ran the 40-yard dash three times, clocking 4.52, 4.56 and 4.6. He was projected to go in the later rounds of the NFL draft, but in the end he entered the league as a free-agent.
Hudgins was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys on April 25, 2010. On August 8, 2010, at the Hall of Fame game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hudgins caught his first NFL pass, a 12-yard catch. He was waived by the Cowboys on August 30, 2010.
Hudgins signed a contract with the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League as of November 30, 2010. On February 27, 2011, it was reported that he had left the team.