Goodbye, Khaleke Hudson
Thanks to Ashley, Joe, and Stephen for the donations via Paypal! All three have set up recurring, monthly payments, almost like a subscription. I didn’t even know that was possible on Paypal until Ashley and Stephen set them up (coincidentally, within two days of each other), but if you feel so inclined, there’s a Paypal button on the sidebar. Thanks!
HIGH SCHOOL
Hudson, from McKeesport (PA) McKeesport, committed to Michigan in January of 2016, shortly before National Signing Day (LINK). I initially gave him a TTB Rating of 77 before settling on a final of 80 (LINK). He was a 3-star, the #20 safety, and #386 overall in that 2016 class after having an extremely impressive career playing running back and safety.
COLLEGE
With future 1st round draft pick Jabrill Peppers entrenched as the starting Viper in 2016, Hudson came in and played a backup safety and special teams role as a true freshman, making 8 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup, and 2 blocked punts. With the perfect build and combination of athletic traits for that hybrid spot, Hudson slid pretty seamlessly into the Viper spot in 2017, making 82 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 9 pass breakups, and 2 forced fumbles. He seemed to be heading for an excellent career, but his junior season was disappointing: 44 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup, and 2 more blocked punts. His 2019 season produced 101 tackles but only 3 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and and 3 pass breakups.
CAREER STATS
237 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 2 interceptions (for 22 yards), 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 16 pass breakups, 5 blocked punts
AWARDS
2nd Team All-Big Ten (2019, coaches)
3rd Team All-Big Ten (2019, media)
Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (2017-2018, coaches; 2018, media)
SUMMARY
Hudson has very good career statistics with 237 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 2 interceptions. He had a season with 18.5 tackles for loss and 8 sacks. He had a season with 101 tackles. He had 5 career blocked punts. And yet it seemed like he stagnated. After a standout sophomore year when a lot of people started to say he was better than Peppers, the next two seasons just didn’t have a lot of flash plays. The tackles numbers went up his senior year, but he totaled just 7 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and 0 interceptions during his final two campaigns.
I WILL REMEMBER HIM FOR…
…his ridiculous high school highlight film. If recruits were graded based on how awesome their highlights are, Hudson would have easily been a 5-star. It’s what led to a lot of people clamoring for him to play running back in college.
PROJECTION
The strength and athleticism that have been on display since high school were once again apparent at the NFL Combine last week when he ran a 4.57 forty and bench pressed 225 lbs. 30 times, which was the best among his position group. He also had a 33″ vertical and a 10’0″ broad jump. Unfortunately, his on-the-field play hasn’t been as impressive as his athletic feats. Not only is he a tweener at 5’10” and 224 lbs., but his skills make him an awkward fit in space against NFL players. I think he will get drafted in the 6th or 7th round based on athletic potential, but he’s going to have to make a big impact on special teams.
