Scouting Report: Khaleke Hudson

Scouting Report: Khaleke Hudson


January 23, 2016

Khaleke Hudson

Name: Khaleke Hudson
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 205 lbs.
High school: McKeesport (PA) McKeesport
Position: Safety
Class: 2016

Notes: Holds offers from Akron, Army, Ball State, Boston College, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cincinnati, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Navy, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Old Dominion, Penn State, Pitt, Purdue, Rutgers, Syracuse, Temple, Toledo, UMass, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, West Virginia, and Wisconsin . . .  Claims a 4.61 forty . . . ESPN 3-star, 74 grade, #85 safety . . . Rivals 3-star athlete . . . Scout 4-star, #24 athlete, #273 overall . . . 247 Sports 4-star, 90 grade, #13 safety, #311 overall . . . Semper Fidelis All-American

Stats: Senior season stats include 106 carries, 1118 yards, 10.5 yards/carry, 17 TDs; 5 catches, 219 yards, 43.8 yards/catch, 5 TDs; 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions for 99 yards (2 TDs), 5 fumble recoveries

Strengths: Solidly built . . . Strong lower body . . . Excellent balance when running the ball . . . Runs behind his pads . . . Good speed . . . Quick feet . . . Good lateral quickness . . . Accelerates quickly out of cuts . . . Willing and capable blocker . . . On defense he shows good fundamentals . . . Disciplined defender, not a freelancer . . . Strong for his size at point of attack . . . Good force player able to keep contain . . . Solid blitzer who can be both physical and elusive to block . . . Aggressive tackler

Weaknesses: Lacks the elite speed to play corner . . . More of a zone defender than a man coverage guy . . . A little undersized to play linebacker . . . Can get overwhelmed by linemen at point of attack if playing inside . . . Would need to improve footwork through the hole as RB on offense . . . Lack of height could be an issue against tight ends and taller receivers

Projection: Strong safety/outside linebacker. Hudson is the definition of an “athlete” when you’re thinking about recruiting. He is a guy who could fill many roles, and so you just want to get him on campus, see how he fits on the field, and maybe plug him in where you have a talent deficiency. For a lot of programs – including Michigan’s – I think he fits in best as a strong safety/outside linebacker hybrid. He was excellent in that role during the Semper Fi All-American Bowl, making tackles all over the field, breaking up passes in the flat, etc. Jabrill Peppers played that role this past season for the Wolverines, and he was excellent at blowing up screens, supporting the run, and defending the flat. Hudson isn’t quite as fast or athletic, but not many people are. I also think Hudson has good enough quickness, balance, and toughness to make an impact at running back.

Reminds me of: Brandon Harrison. Harrison may have disappeared from your memory by this point, but he played at Michigan from 2005-2008 and bridged the coaching transition from Lloyd Carr to Rich Rodriguez. Harrison (5’8″, 193 lbs.) was smaller than Hudson and maybe a smidgen faster, but the former played some box safety for the Wolverines under Rodriguez. In his one year after Carr departed, Harrison made 69 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and 3 pass breakups.

Likelihood of committing to Michigan: Hudson took his official visit to Michigan last weekend, is visiting Penn State this weekend, and will be at Pitt next weekend. He lists Michigan as “Warmer” on his 247 Sports profile, and the 43% of Crystal Ball choices in Michigan’s favor represent a plurality. It would be a minor upset if he chose either of the home-state schools, who look like the only other remaining threats.

Highlights:

2 comments

  1. Comments: 295
    Joined: 12/19/2015
    Extrajuice
    Jan 23, 2016 at 9:04 AM

    He looks like a guy who dominated very poor competition. The first time I watched his highlights I didn’t think he was worthy of an offer. Then, I saw him play in the Semper Fidelis game and came away much more impressed. He made plays against very good talent. So, I’ve changed my opinion of him based on that game.

    I wish I saw a bit more burst because I think he’s lacking that to ever become a more a major difference maker in college. But, he is what he is. He definitely seems to be in the right place at the right time. He’ll bring it too. I think if he chooses UM he’ll redshirt so they can better evaluate where he’ll be needed (unless he surprises everyone and becomes an RB in the rotation).

    He’s getting A LOT of hype on MGoBlog so I’m curious to see his rating if he goes Blue. Thunder, I’m guessing you’re going to get a lot of disagreements because I believe most people think he’s going to be a high 80’s type talent on your scale when he’s probably going to rate closer to low 70’s. Just a prediction.

    • Comments: 3844
      Joined: 7/13/2015
      Jan 23, 2016 at 9:32 AM

      The competition he plays against in high school isn’t anything special. I took his highlights with a bit of a grain of salt because of that, but I do think there’s something there to be harnessed. He’s not a guy who’s going to run away from everyone in college like he does in high school, and we’ve seen Peppers struggle some in coverage, even though he’s very fast. I’ve seen some people say he looks like Jabrill Peppers, which is too big of an expectation to be met.

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