The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/998636
THE WOLVERINE 2018 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 103 BY JOHN BORTON A nyone predicting junior viper Khaleke Hudson putting up big- ger numbers than Jabrill Peppers in Hudson's first year at the cru- cial position might have been mercilessly derided. After all, Peppers proved a unanimous All-American, a once-in-a-generation tal- ent. But not everyone would have laughed it off. Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown might have shrugged, knowing the opportunity afforded the hybrid linebacker in his defense. Matt Miller wouldn't have scoffed much, either. It's been a long time since Hudson sur- prised the head football coach at McKeesport Area High School in Pennsylvania. About seven years, to be precise. "I met him in middle school," Miller re- called. "One of the coaches called him over and introduced him to me. I thought he was a 20-year-old man. He was so muscular and defined. I actually thought he was 20 years old. "They said, 'He's in eighth grade, Coach.' I thought, my gosh. I had no idea." Freshmen don't play varsity at McKees- port. It just doesn't happen. But it did in this case, and from that point on, all bets were off on the young man who would eventually become a key cog in one of the nation's best college defenses. Miller knew then not to put limits on what Hudson might eventually accomplish. "We don't even consider it," he said, re- garding freshmen on the varsity. "We've had kids that have gone on to the NFL and played. They play with their friends; they play in the ninth-grade league. They don't come up and practice with us or anything. "He's the only kid I've known to have come up for us and start for four years. I don't think anybody's played as many foot- ball games for us as Khaleke has, and we've had football around here for 100 years. It's pretty special." Years later, Hudson still exerts an impact on McKeesport football. He went back home for a visit in May, dropping by the football field for a spring workout. Hudson just ambled to the sidelines to say hello, talk to some coaches, watch a little practice. "It was nice," Miller recalled. "It definitely picked up the intensity of practice, for sure. He caught everybody's eye, and everybody was excited to see him." That excitement carries over to football Saturdays in the fall, when a hometown hero pulls on the winged helmet. Even those who might not be Michigan fans are rooting for No. 7. "He was a leader here," Miller noted. "He's a very humble kid. It's so great see- ing all the success he's having at Michigan. Everyone is extremely proud. "It's exciting for us, getting to watch most of his games on TV and seeing him excel at a high level." An Ascending Arc It's exciting, but not shocking, close ob- servers insist. Brown loves what new strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert has done for Hudson, in terms of getting his body ready for the season. Now it's time for the logical next step. "This Khaleke Hudson is playing at a tre- mendous level," Brown said during spring ball. "I think he's a much better cover guy and he's playing at a much faster rate." Hudson boils it down succinctly. He just wants to be better in every way, over a sopho- more season in which he led the team in tackles for loss (18.5) and tied for the lead in sacks (8.0), the TFL total led the Big Ten. Not bad, for a break-in season. "Last year, I was kind of worried about not messing up," Hudson admitted. "Always making sure I was doing my assignment right. "I want to be better in every statistical [area]. More tackles, more tackles for loss. The best I can be. This year, I was able to spend more time working on my craft … I feel a lot more comfortable, working on perfecting my craft." In 2017, Hudson led the Big Ten in tackles for loss per game (1.4), tied for second in sacks per game (0.62) and tied for 17th in passes defended per game (0.8). He also ranked 27th in the league in tackles per game (6.3). PHOTO BY PER KJELDSEN "I want to be better in every statistical [area]. More tackles, more tackles for loss. The best I can be. This year, I was able to spend more time working on my craft … I feel a lot more comfortable, working on perfecting my craft." HUDSON