Coaching Corner: Hudson White's OC, Derek Kohler
GoMiddle caught up with the high school offensive coordinator for QB commit Hudson White!
It is not some crazy revelation to most that the quarterback position is arguably the most important position and the heartbeat of a football team. Back in June, the Blue Raiders got their QB commitment for the class of 2027, landing Hudson White, a gun slinger out of Pea Ridge High, in Arkansas.
Back when he committed, we at GoMiddle had the story.
Now is the time for a coaching corner article. We caught up with White’s Offensive Coordinator at Pea Ridge High School, Derek Kohler. Kohler raved about his young signal caller at Pea Ridge.
Right off of the bat, Kohler spoke volumes about White’s arm talent.
“Hudson’s arm talent is next to none,” Kohler said.
Kohler said that there was a distinct moment in time when he knew White was division one football material.
“When he showed up to fall camp as a sophomore he immediately showed out as our guy and we knew he was different,” Kohler said.
“Over this offseason Hudson has added 15 pounds of muscle mass and has made everyone around him better in the weight-room and on the field. This summer there has been numerous throws he has made during our 7 on 7s and team camps that are not normal for a High School QB to make.”
Kohler went on about what kind of player White is and what he brings to the table.
“Hudson will make my job a lot easier this year,” Kohler said.
“Hudson is your prototypical elite pocket passer every coordinator wants to have. He can make any throw on the field we ask him to make. One thing he has prided himself on this season is his speed development. While he doesn’t come across as a runner on paper I think It will show this fall that he has some wheels and can put some strain on defenses”
Kohler said that he has high expectations for White going into his senior campaign.
“He is the leader of our offense. He is our guy. I fully expect him to go out and put up some big time numbers and win us a lot of football games this fall.”
Kohler indicated that yes, White is a talented player, but there is room for improvement and his ceiling is high.
“Hudson has grown a lot over the last two years,” he said.
“He is one of the hardest workers on our team and is always getting extra work in with our wide receivers. One thing he would tell you he is continuing to get better at understanding defenses pre snap and getting us in the best position to succeed before the ball is snapped.”
Kohler went on to talk about White’s intangibles, that contribute and factor into what makes him a good quarterback.
“Hudson is a vocal leader of our team,” Kohler said.
“Even during his sophomore year he set himself apart as a vocal leader for us.”
He went on to talk about the culmination of his talent and his work ethic, being combined to make him a force on the field.
“His arm talent. Hudson has one of the biggest arms I’ve seen from a High School quarterback. His accuracy has improved this offseason and is never scared to take a shot when it’s time,” he said.
“Work ethic. There are times we have to kick Hudson out of the facility so we can get home to our families. He is always looking for a way to improve his game and gain an edge over our opponents.”
Kohler divulged that he believes White will fit in great in Murfreesboro, on the Middle Tennessee State team.
“Hudson is going to fit in great at MTSU,” he said.
“He will earn the respect of his teammates and coaches very quickly when he arrives on campus. He knows no strangers and will bring out the best of others around him.”