Mainland's Christian Hudson breaks down his final 4: Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland, UCF

The last defensive line domino in the Volusia-Flagler area is set to topple Saturday evening.

Christian Hudson, a two-way starter in the trenches for FHSAA Class 3S champion Mainland, will announce his commitment at 5:55 p.m. from his group of four finalists.

Hudson will pick from the four programs he officially visited during a whirlwind month of June: Iowa, Iowa State, Maryland and UCF. The 6-foot-2, 290-pound rising senior collected nearly two-dozen Division I offers, and is ranked No. 62 on the USA TODAY Florida Network's Top 100 prospect list for the 2025 graduating class.

Hudson earned Volusia-Flagler All-Area honors for the second consecutive year as a junior and was named a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year after starting all 15 games at left guard in the Buccaneers' title-winning campaign. He made 72 tackles with 29 tackles for loss and nine sacks, joining forces with Florida signee LJ McCray and Wofford signee Ramon McCollough to comprise one of Florida's most fearsome defensive fronts.

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Last week, Spruce Creek defensive lineman Derry Norris committed to Georgia Tech, while Flagler Palm Coast's Colby Cronk decided on N.C. State back in March. While both of those local standouts will begin their college careers in the ACC, Hudson is set to head to either the Big 10 or the Big 12.

Ahead of his commitment, Hudson spoke to The News-Journal in an exclusive phone interview to detail what he has liked most about each of his finalists — listed in alphabetical order — and to recap his monthlong cross-country recruiting escapades.

Iowa

Iowa is one of the more relationship-friendly program that has recruited me. They are far away, but they have kept the relationship close. I loved my official visit up there, and had a great time with my player host, (redshirt freshman linebacker) Kenneth Merriewather. I feel like the player panel where we talked to them and asked how they felt and what they liked really opened my eyes. Overall, they have a great program and they will continue to do great things with the same coaching staff. I love (defensive line coach Kelvin) Bell, (head coach Kirk) Ferentz and (defensive coordinator Phil) Parker. They always check up on me and make sure I'm OK. The whole staff makes me feel at home.

Iowa State

For them to be one of my offers and recruiting me to the end shows me how passionate they are and how bad they want me. When I took my official visit, they really laid out the red carpet and put things into perspective how I can excel in their defense. (Defensive passing game coordinator/safeties coach Deon Broomfield) came down my sophomore year when we had our first run for the state championship. He told me he'd recruit me until the very end of my process, and that's exactly what he did. And then I met (defensive line coach Eli) Rasheed, and it's been genuine love the whole time.

Maryland

Maryland is another school that has been recruiting me for a long time. (Special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach) James Thomas is a Florida boy, so he understands the distance part of it. My player host, (redshirt sophomore defensive lineman) Jordan Phillips, is from Florida too and he said the transition was great. It's not much of a thing. No matter where I go, I'll be away from home. I really love the university, especially since it was my first time going up. (Head coach Mike) Locksley and B-Dub (defensive coordinator/defensive line coach Brian Williams) are a great duo in recruiting.

UCF

UCF, it's really a long story. When I first got offered, it was by (offensive line coach Herb) Hand my sophomore year. I kept going up to camps and showed out the next year as a defensive lineman for (defensive tackles coach Kenny) Martin. He loved me when I was offense, but he loves me more since I made that switch to defense. They play in the Big 12 against the big boys, some of the harder competition in football. It's always been a great program and at the top of the list for me. It's a great opportunity to be a hometown hero.