Make it an even dozen Buffs in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Former Colorado defensive back Chris Hudson on Wednesday became the 12th Buffaloes coach or player to receive the honor.

Hudson was the 1994 winner of the Jim Thorpe Award, annually given to the country’s top defensive back, and was a key piece to several CU defenses under coach Bill McCartney, earning consensus first-team All-American honors as a senior.

“It’s amazing and you’re not sure what to think until it really sinks in,” Hudson told CUBuffs.com. “It means so much to be a part of the Hall of Fame, but knowing that I played for my teammates and never for myself. I always wanted to do my best to put us in position to win and was proud to be a team player first and foremost.

“I always appreciated all my teammates, and I’ll never forget being in the locker room every day, being on the practice field, in meetings and game days, especially at Folsom Field. I considered everyone on those teams as my brothers, and I still do. We were very much like a family, coaches, players and support staff. They all played a role in my success. We all owe those experiences starting with Coach Mac. He truly cared about all of us.”

Hudson is the fourth former CU player this decade to enter the College Football Hall of Fame, joining former teammates Michael Westbrook (2020), Rashaan Salaam (2022) and Deon Figures (2024). Hudson and Figures are the only two players in program history to win the Thorpe Award, which has been given out every year since 1986.

During his four seasons in Boulder, Hudson helped CU win 36 games, a pair of bowl games and earn a No. 3 finish in the AP poll in 1994.

“I look at this as a team honor, as this could not have been earned without them,” Hudson said. “I am proud of my school — where my son Ashton currently goes — a sophomore honors student. That’s testament of what I think about CU, and what he thought to follow. It’s an honor and privilege for both of us.”