Wylie graduate, Hudson White, has watched TCU play football since he was a child. He even attended a few games at TCU growing up, which spurred his love for them even more. Like other TCU fans, he is excited about his team playing in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at 4 p.m. (ET) this Saturday. However, White won’t be watching it from home; instead, he’ll be there in person – he is on the team.
For White it’s been a remarkable journey and one he is still on. White graduated from Wylie in 2020. He played football for Wylie since seventh grade and finished his senior year of football as the starting left tackle for the Bulldogs. He had goals, but playing football for TCU wasn’t one of them initially.
During his senior year, White contemplated attending a smaller college to play football. “I had several options to attend a division 3 school where I’d be guaranteed to play football,” White said. “I also had an academic scholarship to Texas Tech.”
With varying opportunities in his future, he had choices to make. Then in March 2020, White was accepted into his dream school TCU. He selected his academic objectives over his athletic opportunities. Once at TCU, White began throwing around the idea of trying to walk on to the football team.
“I wanted to see,” said White. “You don’t really know what you are capable of until you try.”
The Covid pandemic delayed White, but in January of 2021, he made his move. White contacted the Head of Players at TCU, and the process began and continued for the next 8 months. White said after extensive medical testing, he was approved to work out and practice with team. He made it through the next phases of the try-out process and then was invited to fall camp that August.
Fast forward to today and White has been in the trenches practicing with his teammates and trying to soak in the 2022 football season TCU has achieved thus far. Their conference standing is 9-0 and 12-1 overall. In preseason, TCU’s story has been that of the underdog in the media. According to ESPN, if TCU moves on to the championship game and clinches the title, the Horned Frogs will have had the longest span between holding the national title than any other team — a span of 83 years.
White said the tryout process and being part of the team has developed him as an individual. “During tryouts the offensive linemen and senior leadership encouraged me. I’ve seen into the lens of what it means to be a part of a team,” said White. He also said the relationship between the offensive linemen now is something he cherishes.
Regarding the big game coming up, White said the coaches have encouraged from the beginning a “focus on the opponent one week at time” mentality. He said the coaches have required the players to pay attention to detail, be accountable and make strength and nutrition a priority. White said it’s been a “culture change and mind-set” new head coach Sunny Dykes and coaching staff have built into the program. These changes have allowed TCU to be the first Texas team in 9 years to make the play-offs.
TCU’s success story is something any Texan can support — whether you’re a Horned Frog, Aggie or Red Raider. As Wylie Bulldogs, we have an even bigger reason to be cheering and that is for Hudson White. He has shown great grit, placed doubt aside and continues to represent us very well. We wish him and the Horned Frogs the best of luck, and with his three more years of eligibility and determination, we are excited to see what all he accomplishes.
**Another TCU Connection: Wylie Coach Josh Gillespie’s father, Joe, is TCU’s defensive coordinator.
By Kristen Johnson
Photos courtesy of TCU Football and Kerr Broadstreet, Wylie Sports