As colleges show interest, Hoggard QB Hudson Wilharm reflects on wild senior season

The 2023 high school football season couldn't have gone much better for Hoggard quarterback Hudson Wilharm.

After suffering a season-ending collarbone break as a junior in 2022, Wilharm returned to the gridiron in the fall and put together the area's best effort for a quarterback, breaking the Hoggard single-season passing record and leading the Vikings to the second state championship in program history.

After entering the season with no college offers, he has earned the attention of schools like N.C. State and North Carolina.

But just a few months ago, the 18-year-old faced the reality of his high school career being cut short.

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The injury

Coming off one of the best regular seasons in school history, the 9-1 Vikings were ranked No. 3 in the NCHSAA 4A East playoff bracket.

Wilharm had thrown 19 touchdowns to just two interceptions, a mark by far the best in the Mideastern Conference.

But in the week leading up to the opening round of the state playoffs, Wilharm broke the index finger on his throwing hand, an injury that should have sidelined him for weeks.

"That wasn't great," he said of the injury. "It was frustrating to have another injury in such a pivotal moment of the season, but I knew I would try to get back as quickly as I could."

The injury was somewhat of a freak accident: After releasing a pass, Wilharm's hand slammed into a teammate's helmet, smashing his finger and leaving him in agonizing pain.

While the feeling of his bone fracturing was unpleasant, it wasn't anywhere near as discomforting as potentially missing the final games of his high school career.

The playoffs

Wilharm would sit out of Hoggard's first-round playoff matchup with Holly Springs. It was the right call as the Vikings dashed past the Tigers 52-0.

He started the following week as the Vikings moved past Jordan, throwing four touchdowns despite wearing a finger splint. In Round 3, however, things would get much more severe.

For the first time in history, Hoggard hosted cross-town rival Laney in the third round of the state playoffs, a matchup that brought nearly every Wilmington-area high school football fan to John T. Hoggard Stadium.

Wilharm completed just 11 passes for 83 yards and one touchdown on the night, coughing up the ball on a handoff. It was undoubtedly the worst performance of his senior season, but the Vikings still won.

"I didn't celebrate much after that game," he said. "I knew that wasn't me, to get into that high-pressure moment and not compete how I wanted to. I knew I needed to make a change."

His solution? Get rid of the splint. The move was risky as the Vikings were now in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs and would face No. 2-seeded Cleveland (The only team to defeat Hoggard in the regular season), but there wasn't another option in Wilharm's mind.

"We had to give it all we had, and we had nothing to lose," he said. "We were able to change the mentality that we had (from the Laney game), and we excelled."

The senior didn't play well; He played the best game of his life. Throwing for 385 yards and six touchdowns, Wilharm led the Vikings to a 51-35 win over a talented Rams side.

The state championship

After soundly defeating Cardinal Gibbons at home in the semifinals, Hoggard traveled to Carter-Finley Stadium at N.C. State to make its second state championship appearance in school history.

The night, filled with moments of mishap for the Vikings in a lopsided 56-21 route by Weddington, was salvaged by Wilharm, who set the Hoggard single-season passing record with 2,852 passing yards.

He also scampered home on a 65-yard rushing touchdown, highlighting his often-overlooked speed.

"I couldn't attribute that more to my team than myself," Wilharm said of achieving the feat. "I've been set up by coaches, linemen, receivers, just helping me make plays as well. It's not the ending we want, of course, but to make it back from last year, with all the adversity we handled, it's definitely a great feeling."

Speed isn't something most would associate with Wilharm, whose lengthy 6-foot-4 frame and usual pocket presence can be deceptive. It was a trait, however, that stood out to N.C. State coach Dave Doeren, whose son plays for Cardinal Gibbons and was in attendance for the state semifinal in Wilmington.

Wilharm escaped the pocket, outrunning the Crusaders defense on a 45-yard score just before the half. After the game, the Wolfpack offered Wilharm as a preferred walk-on, and North Carolina followed suit the ensuing week.

As the Feb. 7 national signing day approaches, Wilharm will go down as one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks in Hoggard history. That title, however, isn't something you'll hear him throwing around.

"It's encouraging to know that the numbers you put up are (being recognized), but I like all the wins we had and the fact that we got to the championship game more,” Wilharm said.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hoggard QB Hudson Wilharm recruiting target on National Signing Day