In the summer before his senior season at McKeesport High School, Khaleke Hudson did not have a favorite among the colleges that were recruiting him. The season came and went, the calendar turned to 2016, and Hudson still didn’t have a No. 1 school.
That all changed after a trip to Ann Arbor, Mich.
Hudson made an official visit to the University of Michigan Jan. 15-17. He was suddenly convinced he had turned into a Wolverine man.
Less than two weeks after the visit, Hudson made a verbal commitment to Michigan. Hudson, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Player of the Year and one of the top players in the state, announced Wednesday on Twitter he would attend Michigan. He was a standout running back-defensive back who was recruited to play safety.
“When I went up on my visit there, that’s when I knew,” said Hudson. “I just liked everything about it, the players, the coaches, the whole environment.”
Pitt, Penn State and UCLA were his other finalists. He visited Penn State last weekend and decided against making an official visit to Pitt this weekend.
Hudson said he seriously considered UCLA and visited the Bruins in December. He was recruited by UCLA assistant Tom Bradley, a former assistant at Penn State and West Virginia.
“Coach Bradley used to recruit around here. He’s a cool guy,” said Hudson. “It’s just too far to go out there.”
Of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Hudson said: “He’s a cool dude and fun to be around. He seems like a players type of guy.”
Hudson believes he could see early playing time at Michigan. “I think I have a big chance to start as a freshman,” he said.
Mike White: mwhite@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1975 and Twitter @mwhiteburgh.
First Published: January 27, 2016, 8:13 p.m.
Updated: January 28, 2016, 3:23 a.m.
