The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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34 THE WOLVERINE JANUARY 2018 his own rise. He made the switch to viper last spring, Brown and Michi- gan's defensive coaches deciding that represented the best fit. They moved sophomore Josh Me- tellus — who started the Orange Bowl against Florida State at viper following Peppers' practice injury — to safety. Hudson still had to prove he could hold up, but he lit into the preparation like sprinting unblocked towards a quarterback. "I really felt it was a great fit for me," Hudson said. "I feel more com- fortable out there each game. I'm reacting faster to things. Being able to see things multiple times, by dif- ferent teams, I'm able to react faster. "I can play in the box, but also play safety a little bit. I like that I'm able to blitz off the edge, be free, be able to play my game." His teammates like it as well. "Khaleke has just brought a lot of versatility," fifth-year senior defen- sive tackle Maurice Hurst said. "He's a really strong, really physical guy. He does a great job of doing what Coach Brown asks of him — blitzing and covering tight ends. He really tries to take the tight ends out of the game, and does a great job of blitzing and disguising some of our cover- ages." "He's just executing really well," junior safety Tyree Kinnel added. "He's executing his assignments. When his number gets called, he goes and plays hard, trying to get to the quarterback. He's making a lot of tackles behind the line of scrim- mage, because he's playing so hard and fast." BURYING THE GOPHERS, AND MORE Nobody played harder and faster than Hudson in Michigan's 33-10 thumping of Minnesota in The Big House. As affirmation parties go, this one stamped the already successful linebacker as a budding star. Hudson hounded the Gophers like a hungry hawk in a foul mood. He not only nailed down the record-set- ting tackles for loss mark, he posted 15 tackles overall, a dozen of them solo. Hudson sacked Minnesota quarterbacks three times, ensuring the Gophers weren't about to throw a scare into the Wolverines at home. "My favorite moment was the Minnesota game," Hudson admit- ted. "I was out there just having a blast, making plays. At the end of the game, knowing I tied an NCAA record was mind-blowing for me." Meanwhile, Hudson made certain to acknowledge the big assist he re- ceived in menacing Minnesota. "I was in the right place at the right time," he offered. "My team- mates opened up a lot of things for me, coming off the edge. The D-line played a huge part in that. The offen- sive line had to respect them. "Sometimes they have to double- team [sophomore defensive end] Rashan [Gary], which will have me unblocked. That game, I was just feeling really comfortable out there. I had lots of energy and just kept it going." Khaleke Hudson Keeps Thing Spicy, Sans Peppers Lose a Heisman Trophy finalist, a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, a Paul Hornung Award winner and a consensus All-American, and there shouldn't be a business-as-usual expectation the succeeding sea- son. That 's what Michigan faced when Jabrill Peppers bolted for the NFL after last year. One of the most decorated Wolverines in his- tory left a gap at viper many felt couldn't possibly be filled with anyone approximating the same production. Enter sophomore Khaleke Hud- son, with the guiding hand of de- fensive coordinator Don Brown. The stats were eerily similar: Hudson in 2017 (bowl game to come): 72 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two intercep- tions, seven passes broken up, four quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles. Peppers in 2016 (did not play in bowl): 72 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, no passes broken up, eight quar- terback hurries and one forced fumble. Head coach Jim Harbaugh notes that when comparisons are made, someone gets diminished. In this case, Hudson (and Brown) receive a nod for keeping the viper position deadly. Hudson said he's not stunned, while giving plenty of credit where it's due. "It doesn't shock me at all," he insisted. "Not taking anything away from [Peppers]. He's a great player. I looked up to him last year. He was an awesome player, out there making plays. "I just take every game as my last game, work my tail off to try and make plays and help my team win." Fifth-year senior linebacker Mike McCray reminded everyone he saw it coming. "He's done a great job," McCray said of Hudson. "He's putting up crazy numbers. He's a great player, and off the field, he's a great guy as well. I told you before the season started that he would have a great year. He's kind of backed me up on that." As for the uncanny Peppers production parallel, McCray noted there's a reason. "They're both really good athletes, and they take advantage of their opportuni- ties," he stressed. "Khaleke has had a great year, and Jabrill had a great year last year." — John Borton Former safety Jabrill Peppers was named a unan- imous All-American and Heisman finalist in 2016, but Hudson eclipsed nearly all of his statistics after replacing him at the viper position this fall. PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN