INDIANAPOLIS — The senior quarterback is approaching the upcoming season with one goal: to lead the Boilermakers to a winning campaign.
After losing five of their final seven games in Ryan Walters’ first season, Hudson Card and his teammates took a hard look in the mirror. A tough offseason filled with hard work, depth-building, and film study has Card confident that the Boilermakers will improve this fall.
“I really do feel good about where we are right now,” Card said. “We got some key guys back, and we got some key guys from the portal who are really going to help us out.”
Despite this, no one expects Purdue to make a significant impact in 2024. In fact, the Preseason Big Ten Media Poll ranked the Boilermakers dead last. Card is determined to change that narrative and holds himself accountable for the team’s performance.
“I think that’s why you choose quarterback as a position. Everything starts with you, and if you’re not on your A-game, then the odds are the play is not going to work out as much,” he said. “You touch the ball on every play, so that’s the responsibility that I’m honored to have, and I chose it.”
His experience, leadership, and production should aid Walters in his second year as head coach. Card’s journey has always been about finding light at the end of the tunnel. The former four-star recruit started his career at Texas, where he started five games and threw for 1,523 yards and 11 touchdowns over three years.
Being a hometown kid, leaving Austin was tough for Card, but he is now showing promise in the Big Ten. He threw three touchdown passes in wins over Minnesota and Indiana, 217 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Illinois, and a season-high 323 passing yards against Syracuse.
Card continued his momentum by throwing a 58-yard touchdown in Purdue’s spring game. Now, he enters August with confidence. Proud of his growth, he remains humble because of his journey.
“I wouldn’t change my experience for anything. I’ve had quite a few ups and downs in my career, but I wouldn’t be the player and person I am today without those experiences,” the 22-year-old said.
Card has gained valuable knowledge from Texas Coach Steve Sarkisian and is more comfortable in year two of Graham Harrell’s system. However, he must stay alert in the new 18-team Big Ten, where competition is fierce and the margin for error is slim.
That’s how Card likes it, believing it’s the only way to earn respect for Purdue on a national level. He even seeks advice from past Boilermaker greats like Drew Brees, Kyle Orton, and Aidan O’Connell, learning how to handle various situations.
Purdue faces a tough schedule, including games against Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State. Card refuses to back down and the Boilermakers will enter the season with a chip on their shoulders.
“You get to play the best competition week in and week out, which as a competitor, you want to play the best.”
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