Lake Travis' Card takes over at QB, welcomes the challenges

Hudson Card (Joe Cook/IT)

LAKE TRAVIS, TX — Playing quarterback at Lake Travis is a big deal. The position carries the pressure of leading one of Texas’ top high school programs, and the expectations, adding another star to the LT logo, are no small undertaking.

Several Division I talents called signals for the Cavaliers including Super Bowl champion Garrett Gilbert, Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield, and more recently, Ohio State signee Matthew Baldwin. Now, that responsibility lies on junior-to-be Hudson Card.

Card is no stranger to the attention star players in LTHS head coach Hank Carter’s program often receive. He was a 1000-yard receiver in 2017, second on the team behind five-star Garrett Wilson, and played under center for the Cavaliers in the UIL Championship game against Allen in place of an injured Baldwin, coming up just two points short of earning Lake Travis’ seventh state championship in 11 years.

After introducing himself to the state last year, Card knows there will be a lot of eyes on him both locally and nationally from media and college coaches. After the Cavaliers’ second practice Tuesday, Card told Inside Texas the attention has been eye-opening but his attention is on spring football.

“It’s kind of crazy, but I’m just trying to stay focused, block that out, play my game and do stuff that’s best for the team,” Card said. “I’m trying to just block it out and not worry about it too much. It’s definitely a cool thing.”

As quarterback, Card understands the importance of doing what is best for the team. He understands that his teammates now look up to him given his new position.

“Mostly that it’s my team now, and being the leader,” Card said about the transition to being a full-time QB. “Being the actual quarterback. I guess that’s the biggest thing. I’m just continuing to get better at it and learning all the new plays with the new OC.”

Lake Travis is known for the dynamic offense it marches out year after year. It helped Baldwin throw for 3842 yards and 44 touchdowns in 2017. It helped current Baylor QB Charlie Brewer throw for 7349 yards over his junior and senior seasons.

Now, that offense is under the direction of former Louisville QB and Texas QC coach Will Stein. There will be plenty of crossover between Stein’s offense and what Lake Travis ran last year – they aren’t switching to the Wing-T anytime soon — but there still is an adjustment period.

From this morning, @CoachWillStein working with @LTHSCavFootball QBs on end zone fades. #txhsfb pic.twitter.com/NampvEUU4h

— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) April 24, 2018

“It’s obviously similar,” Card said. “It’s just different terminologies, but it’s similar. We’ll pick it up quick. I feel like we did pretty good today.”

Card’s skill and athleticism might open up the Cavalier offense more than those previous Power 5 quarterbacks did on state championship teams. Those skills also have garnered the attention of several Power 5 schools.

At practice Tuesday, coaches from Texas, Ohio State, and Arkansas were able to watch Card throw. Texas recently offered Card when he visited for the Orange-White game. According to Card, the offer was for quarterback.

That is one of the few offers Texas has sent out to 2020 prospects, and the first for quarterback in the 2020 class.

The fact the Longhorn staff thinks that highly of Card meant something to him.

“It’s definitely something that I have to keep in mind that they want me that bad,” Card said. “It feels great. I’m thankful for that and blessed.”

Ten other P5 programs have offered Card including in-state offers from Baylor and TCU. More will surely come in as Card’s season progresses and coaches get the chance to see him in person. With that in mind, Card is soaking up the entire recruiting process.

“My mind’s open,” Card said. “I’m so young. Every school (offer) is a blessing that I get.”

Recruiting can take up a lot of attention, and Card admitted he could take visits to schools during the spring and summer. His current focus?

“Cavalier football right now.”