The true freshman defensive back from Michigan is an ideal option in the maybe-not-so-long term.
Let me preface this by saying this is a true freshman safety who will be deep down on the depth chart. He’ll see some limited action in special teams in 2024 so as to preserve his redshirt, but this kid has true starting potential.
In his eventual sophomore season, the free safety and strong safety will be juniors with the option to enter the NFL draft or return for a senior season. These are the ideal tutors with all of your NCAA eligibility remaining.
Ty Hudkins is a 5’11” 197-pound projected safety out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. The former three-star prospect out of Forest Hills Central High School arrives in West Lafayette as one of the first defensive backs entirely recruited by head coach Ryan Walters following the regime change.
Don’t expect to see him on the field too often, but I have watched his high school film so as to do some homework for everybody:
- He played on both sides of the ball in high school and most of his highlights that got him on the recruiting map are filmed while he’s playing wide receiver. This position conversion happens frequently at the college level, and that experience on offense is instrumental in reading plays as a defensive back.
- Seeing him as a wide receiver, the kid is physical and had gained 12 pounds since his last high school weigh-in.
- Reactive instincts look great. I would trust a coach like Ryan Walters to accurately scout how a young safety would fit into his scheme.
Basically, nothing to expect really this year unless he’s long-lost Thieneman, but I can see him getting close to that territory.