Michigan Football: Is James Hudson the future at left tackle?

Offensive tackle might be the biggest concern entering 2018 for Michigan football but in James Hudson, UM might have found its future left tackle.

When looking at what the weaknesses might be for the Michigan football team in 2018, left tackle is one position that looks like a glaring weakness. With the loss of Mason Cole, UM now has a gaping hole on its offensive line, one that could be filled by James Hudson.

If you don’t know Hudson, you should. He came to Michigan football as a defensive tackle in 2017 but was quickly moved to offense and in particular, tackle. Now, after a year of development, Hudson could be the Wolverines left tackle of the future. Heck, in a few weeks, he could be the left tackle of the present.

In an article written by Nick Baumgarner of the Detroit Free Press, head coach Jim Harbaugh and even defensive end Chase Winovich talked about both the improvement and upside of Huson.

Here is what one of the quotes given by Harbaugh in the article regarding Hudson:

“There’s still work to be done (with Hudson). But there are real signs there,” Harbaugh said this week. “There have been times where you go ‘there it is, this is your position now.’ ”

Michigan Wolverines Football

Those words from Harbaugh speak to just how much Hudson has grown since his season as a redshirt. Now, with new offensive line coach Ed Warinner doing the instructing, Hudson seems to be coming along even quicker.

Here’s what Winovich had to say on the subject of Hudson:

“James is coming along, man. Honest opinion, I don’t know if it’ll be this year necessarily, but in terms of athleticism and strength — the dude should be a freak by the time he’s done,” Winovich said.  “He’s learning, he’s getting better. Will he be ready (after camp) as a starter? That’s for him, coach Warinner and coach Harbaugh to decide.”

The fact that Winovich, one of the premier pass rushers in the nation had such good things to say about Hudson is a big-time positive. He stands 6-5 and nearly 300 pounds and in terms of raw ability, he is among the most skilled on the UM offensive line.

However, if Hudson wants to play this season, he’s going to have to earn it by unseating veterans Juwann Bushell-Beaty and Jon Runyan Jr., the favorites as of now to start at left and right tackle. Of course, if he’s healthy, Grant Newsome could also factor into that mix.

Unfortunately, Michigan football can’t count on Newsome to be healthy. And while Bushell-Beatty and Runyan are solid players, the hope here is that one of them is unseated by Hudson.

That would show his development has taken a big step forward and if he does end up starting this season, we should be able to find out if Hudson is a guy that can lock down that job for a couple more years at least.

That is until the NFL comes calling.