James Hudson to OT?

Submitted by Wolverinefan84 on

I didn't see this posted on the board, so apologies if already posted... Seeing that Sam Webb tweeted that James Hudson is making a position switch to OT: http://scout.com/college/michigan/Board/102410/Contents/Inside-the-Sub-…

I don't have an account so I can't read the article... Was just curious if anyone had seen this or has any info. To me, I was very excited to see Hudson on the DL, especially when we have a few other incoming freshman that project to be at OT, so I'm a little disappointed given the hype on Hudson on the DL. Thoughts?

In reply to by Frito Bandito

FauxMo

August 22nd, 2017 at 9:43 PM ^

Welp, that explains Keith Washinton's departure. They asked Hudson to experiment at OT, and Washington to experiment with gerbils...

Mr Miggle

August 23rd, 2017 at 9:18 AM ^

I expect this means he's likely to redshirt. I don't see a lack of depth on either line, just a lot of inexperienced players. Onwenu was in the two deep at guard and we needed depth at DT so he got a shot there. But he was always in the OL group. Maybe Hudson pushes himself right into the two deep at OT, but otherwise why burn his redshirt?

WoodleyIsBeast

August 22nd, 2017 at 8:27 PM ^

My thought is that Hudson was the low key future leader in the center of our defense next to Aubrey.

I'd rather think that this means he is too good at OT to keep on the defensive side of the ball.

ak47

August 22nd, 2017 at 9:31 PM ^

i think it means they havent been blown away by the freshman tackle prospects. you dont flip hudson from a position with scary little depth next year that rotates heavily to a position you hope only two players play if you arent worried that filiaga and others may not have what it takes.

and my glass is usually just filled with honesty instead of rosy optimism. being concerned about the oline doesnt make me cheer for michigan any less or stop me from enjoying wins and the game.

TrueBlue2003

August 22nd, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^

highly unlikely he's ever able to be a productive Big Ten OT.

But we still have Filiaga, Steuber, JaRaymond Hall,  Honigford, Runyan, and ULIZIOOOOOOOOOOOO at OT.  Next year when Hurst is gone, we have shrug emoji at 3Tech.  Seemed like Hudson was made to back that spot up this year and take over starting duties next year.

He probably would be an awesome OT too.  My guess is they like Filiaga and probably Hall on the interior.

ak47

August 22nd, 2017 at 10:40 PM ^

I'm optimistic about plenty of things. We have a very talented young team that I think will win 9 games this year and think 10 is more likely than 8.  But a large portion of people on this blog are massive homers and as a result thinking a young talented but flawed team might have some flaws gets me painted as a pessimist.  There are holes on this team, Harbaugh being the coach doesn't just magically mean everything will break right and the reports out of camp paint the picture of an oline that is struggling without anyone stepping up on the right side.  For most games Michigan will be able to talent their way out of it, for the 4 games that will define this season it could be a massive problem.

TrueBlue2003

August 23rd, 2017 at 2:15 AM ^

of the freshmen "tackles" are interior OL.  Filiaga almost certainly will move inside as he's a much better run blocker than pass protector and probably one other guy that played tackle in HS may move inside.  This was probably the intention all along given that we recruited 4 "tackles" and no guards.  Not a cause for concern.

Alumnus93

August 23rd, 2017 at 8:55 AM ^

Ill tell you what it means... .Harbaugh is ultra-efficient, and that at this point Hudson is on the bottom of the DL  pecking order after practices and the the road to playing time has been established. The staff communicates this to him and after assessing his skills, identify a great projection at OT, and so, he either languishes on bench unless he can overtake some great DL ahead of him (probably unlikely in this theory) or can switch to OT and have a real shot of being in the two deep and future starter.     Harbaugh did this with Harris, who was buried at bottom of depth chart, with these new frosh stud wrs, and saw the writing... but his skills translated to CB, and that is where he is.    Now, a third option, is a transfer, when the player is stuck on the bottom of depth chart, and either doesnt want to switch, or doesnt have the skills to switch. Shane Morris falls into this category...he was never gonna play, and at WR he'd have never played either.

tspoon

August 23rd, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^

There is nearly ZERO chance this guy is at the bottom of the DT pecking order.  His high school tape showed way too much physical talent to say he was buried behind a Phil Paea, especially just weeks into his college career.

No, this move has to be driven by upside. LT is a critical position, and the coaches must think he has the goods to potentially bring it at that spot.

We have plenty of mauler types in the last couple of OL classes.  It must be that the coaches are trying him at LT to see if his athleticism and physical traits will allow him to flourish as the blind side pass protector we need.

 

Alumnus93

August 23rd, 2017 at 10:38 AM ^

Well we haven't heard one peep about him at DT yet have we...instead we hear of Jeter, Marshall, Solomon etc.... so yes, those guys could all be ahead of him, which isn't a stretch at all, is it....  so I'd say its nowhere near "zero chance"

tspoon

August 23rd, 2017 at 11:29 AM ^

Maybe I was just reading your "on the bottom" comment to mean, literally "the bottom." I seriously doubt he's the last guy on that list. 

Agree with you though that we've heard those other names more than his until this move came to light last week via Sam's blog.  (I do think that's important to note: this is something that came out in mid-August, not late August ... for those who want to read into the timing of it as an indicator of some sort of failings along the lines of "we gave him a shot at DT all camp long, and it didn't happen....").

 

war-dawg69

August 23rd, 2017 at 9:43 AM ^

The thing is your pessimism blinds you, and you jump to conclusions. Filiga projects best to guard and that is where he most likely is headed. Hudson always was projected better at tackle and played better at that position in high school were he did quite well. If Hudson is at least a all big ten tackle I hope you see the wisdom of the coaching staff. With guys like Sandidge, Thompson and Friday still in play for Michigan I would relax on the shortage of D tackles. Right know behind Hurst and Mone we have Jeter, Dwumfor, Solomon, Irving, Junior, who I can't think of his name, How many D tackles do you want on the team. I guess we need at least four or five deep for you.