Eric Sorenson
Hudson Dunn is widely considered the top defensive player in the state of Arizona.
“Zone Read” recently sat down with the 2026 Liberty High linebacker/EDGE, who recently committed to Minnesota, to discuss a myriad of topics as he prepares for his senior season with the Lions.
Last weekend you made it official, committing to Minnesota. Why were the Gophers the choice, and what set them apart from all your other offers? “What set Minnesota apart was the opportunity to contribute early, along with the culture and standards set by Coach [PJ] Fleck. There is a strong emphasis on development, not just as a football player, but as a student. The program has a proven track record of preparing players for the NFL.”
#AGTG 100% committed! Let’s go!! Proverbs 3:5-6 #RTB 🚣🏾#SkiUMah @marianosori_ @Coach_Fleck @_cgallagher @GopherFootball @LibertyFBLions @coachthomasfb @TrainsStation1 pic.twitter.com/2t3j129h9m
— Hudson Dunn (@hudsondunn1) May 4, 2025
How does their scheme best fit your skill set? “The versatility of their linebackers is similar to how [Liberty] uses linebackers. I believe this will simplify my transition to the next level.”
I had to lock it in 🔒@GopherFootball @Coach_Fleck @marianosori_ @_cgallagher pic.twitter.com/gV6kneiyUu
— Hudson Dunn (@hudsondunn1) April 6, 2025
Was there anything besides the football aspect that helped you fall in love with the school? “The campus is very nice. You feel like you’re in a college town but you are in a large metro area which gives you access to a lot of large cultural and sporting events. They are a good academic university. They have connections to some of the top companies in the county.”
Your first name is so unique. Is there a backstory behind it? “Actually, I’m from Detroit, Michigan. That’s where I was born and I lived there until I was about 11-years old. So, there was actually a building in Detroit, it’s torn down now, but there used to be one called the Hudson Tower, I believe. So, they named me after that. That’s where it really came from.”
I know your faith has always been very important to you. Was that something that was instilled in you at a young age, or did that faith-driven approach start a little later into your teenage years? “I definitely grew up in the church. Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been going. It’s been helping me a lot – in football and life, in general. God has given me so much. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Him. I give all glory to Him. I grew up in [church] and I continue to foster [those beliefs].
“I pray before games and during games – just trying to recalibrate and lean on God during hard times.”
What music do you listen before games? “I like to listen to some calmer music. Instrumentals, maybe. But then I like turn up when it gets closer to game time. I’ll play some more hype music.
What’s on the hype music playlist? “I like, Rio, the Young OG. Kodak Black I like before a game. T-Grizzly. Guys like that.”
You’ve always been a lead-by-example player and now, as an upperclassman, you’ve taken more of a the vocal approach. Did that come naturally with more experience and more time in the program? “I’d definitely say I’m stepping more into that roll right now. I’ve always been a lead-by-example guy because it pushed me, too. I have to be at my best to lead other guys. I have to hold myself accountable at the same time, so I like to do that. I’ve definitely stepped into that role as I’ve more experience and gotten more comfortable around the team.”
You’re pretty even-keeled and well-spoken. Can you turn it up on guys when the time calls for it? “Definitely. I’ll get on guys when it’s necessary. But there’s also a lot of different ways to approach those things, especially on the field. I just like to communicate and use my voice on the field. I definitely turn that up and make sure my voice is heard to the whole defense.”
Your Open Division Championship two years ago against Centennial. Was that the “Hudson Dunn coming out party” for what has already turned into an incredible three-year career here at Liberty? “Yes, I agree. That was definitely a good game [for me]. Our team worked so hard to get there.”
Did you have a feeling that was going to be your break out game, even before you took the field? “I didn’t necessarily have that feeling, but the game did slow down for me. It was my first time in a huge game like that and being so young. Playing in a huge stadium at ASU, it was pretty cool. It was a great experience.”
I think the majority believe, not only are you the best defensive player in Arizona, but you also don’t have any holes in your game. Do you agree with the latter? “There’s always stuff to work on, honestly. As of right now, obviously, I’ve had a lot of success on the field from what I’ve done the last couple of years, but I still have a year to go in my high school career and I’m still working hard to get to that next level. There’s always stuff I can work on. I’m training every day. I’m just trying to get better in my techniques and keep moving forward.”
Thanks @GopherFootball and @marianosori_ for a great visit! It was awesome to learn about the school and football program. The energy was crazy! @Coach_Fleck @_cgallagher @LibertyFBLions @coachthomasfb pic.twitter.com/CKeRlzmzOm
— Hudson Dunn (@hudsondunn1) April 6, 2025
What have you done this off-season to make yourself a more versatile, complete play next fall? “I’ve been getting more reps at certain position, like off the ball backer and things like that. So, it’s really good to go against our offense and different things like that to get those reps. I’m definitely getting more comfortable being back there. Obviously, I think I have a lot of versatility so being able to use my skill set to become a more complete player.”
2X Maxpreps All American ! Congrats to our guy @hudsondunn1 .#LibertyFB #LionsFB #TDLCC pic.twitter.com/PCq3PMNOIH
— Liberty Lions Football (@LibertyFBLions) January 7, 2025
How would you describe yourself as a player to someone who has never seen you play? “I’d like to say fast, physical, and hunting the ball. ‘Hunter of the football’ is what I like to say. I like to say I have great effort on the field and great tenacity. I’d say I have good speed, too. That’s a big part of my game.”
Liberty goes BACK 2 BACK as the Open Divison State Champions!! 🏆
The Lions have won 24 straight games against AZ opponents! 👀💍@LibertyFBLions pic.twitter.com/Ybgf5OwgmZ
— Arizona Football Coverage (@arizonaftbl) December 8, 2024
Is three-peating as Open Division champions a big conversation piece this spring and into the summer, or is the approach just continuing to work and get better in hopes of getting back to the big dance again? Honestly, I’d say it’s a mix of both. We hear the talk of, ‘Will they be the first team to three-peat?’ That’s really the goal for us. We have high expectations. We have a standard around here as a program. We want to make history. We strive to do that. But we know that last year’s team is last year’s team and this year’s team is this year’s team. We still have a lot to prove and we still have to earn the respect of Arizona. We’re working everyday to get to that goal. We know it’s not going to be given to us.”
Do you enjoy the recruiting process? “I do like it. It’s a blessing, honestly, to have all these opportunities and being to experience everything. I’m just taking it one day at a time. It’s really fun going on the visits and talking to all the different coaches.
“I know I can only go to one school.”
Your Coach, Colin Thomas, is such a no non-sense, straight-forward, yet polite guy. Is he the same way to play for? What’s that like? “He’s amazing. He’s done great things for our program, just the way he coaches and sets everything up. A lot of college coaches have told me [Liberty], for spring ball, was one of the best practices they’d ever seen.
“He’s actually a funny guy. Honestly [laughing].”
Coach Thomas told me NIL and the financial aspect of your college decision, never outweighed improving as a football player and getting a great education. Was this mindset something your parents ingrained in you, or was it you looking at your next 4-5 years a little different than others prospects might? “That’s the thing, money isn’t a really big focus for me at all. With NIL and everything, it’s crazy now. It’s never been a really big focus for me, really ever. I try to set the money aside and everything else aside and I tried to take that out of the equation for my recruitment.”
