Khaleke Hudson Bio
Khaleke Hudson (born December 6, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker who has played in the National Football League since 2020. He is best known for his college career with the Michigan Wolverines, where he earned All-Big Ten honors in 2017 and 2019. Hudson was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft, becoming the 162nd overall pick. He has also been a member of the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, and Tennessee Titans, and he shares an NCAA record for most tackles for a loss in a single game with eight.
Early Life and Background
Khaleke Hudson was born on December 6, 1997, in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the same working-class community that shaped many of his early athletic habits, and he attended McKeesport Area High School, where he was a two-way player. At McKeesport, Hudson lined up at safety and running back, drawing attention from college scouts for his physicality and versatility.
By the time he was finishing high school, Hudson had developed into one of the most sought-after prospects in Pennsylvania. According to recruiting services, he was the number one rated football prospect in the Pennsylvania statewide class of 2016, and he also carried a national ranking from Rivals.com. On January 27, 2016, Hudson committed to the University of Michigan, choosing the Wolverines over scholarship offers from Pittsburgh, UCLA, and Penn State.
Path to American Football
Hudson arrived at Michigan as a highly rated recruit and immediately worked into the Wolverines’ special teams plans. He made his collegiate debut on September 3, 2016, against Hawaii, and he appeared in all 13 games of the 2016 season primarily on special teams. His early role on coverage units gave him a chance to refine his tackling and pursuit angles before expanding his defensive responsibilities.
The 2017 season marked Hudson’s arrival as a defensive force. On November 4, 2017, he set the Michigan single-game record with eight tackles for loss against Minnesota in the Little Brown Jug rivalry game. In that contest he posted 15 total tackles, 12 of which were solo, added three quarterback sacks, and forced a fumble, earning him Big Ten Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week and the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week awards. The eight tackles for loss tied the NCAA single-game record and set a Big Ten Conference record, and Hudson finished the year as a second-team All-Big Ten selection.
Khaleke Hudson Career
Early Career (2018)
Entering his junior season, Hudson was placed on preseason watch lists for the Lott Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Athlon Sports named him a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection. Despite the high expectations, he appeared in all 13 games but took on a smaller defensive role than the previous year. Hudson finished 2018 with three tackles for loss and 39 total tackles, earning an honorable mention all-conference nod from both the media and the coaches.
Michigan Senior Year and Draft (2019–2020)
As a senior, Hudson was named to the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. During the 2019 campaign he served as Michigan’s leading tackler, recording a career-best 97 stops along with 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries, and a blocked kick. His strong senior season earned him second-team All-Big Ten honors for the second time in his career.
Following his senior year, Hudson declared for the 2020 NFL draft and was selected by the Washington Football Team in the fifth round with the 162nd overall pick. Washington had previously acquired that pick in a trade that sent Quinton Dunbar to the Seattle Seahawks. He signed his four-year rookie contract on July 23, 2020, and entered the league as a depth linebacker and core special teams contributor.
Washington Commanders Era (2020–2023)
Hudson spent his first four professional seasons with Washington, working primarily on special teams while contributing as a reserve linebacker. On December 7, 2021, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering an ankle injury in the Week 13 game against the Las Vegas Raiders. The following offseason, on August 30, 2022, he was waived by the Commanders and signed to the practice squad the next day, before being promoted back to the active roster on October 21, 2022. On March 12, 2023, Hudson signed a one-year contract extension to remain in Washington through the 2023 season.
New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns (2024)
On April 4, 2024, Hudson signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free agent. He was released on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the Saints’ practice squad the same day. On September 11, 2024, Cleveland signed him off the New Orleans practice squad, giving him a late-season opportunity with the Browns.
Tennessee Titans (2025–Present)
On August 12, 2025, Hudson signed with the Tennessee Titans. He was released by Tennessee on August 19, 2025, ending his brief stay with the team. As of the 2025 season, Hudson’s career NFL totals include 117 total tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass deflections.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hudson’s signature moment remains his eight-tackle-for-loss performance against Minnesota in 2017, a mark that tied the NCAA single-game record and set a new Big Ten Conference standard. He is one of only a handful of players in college football history to reach that number in a single game, and the performance helped establish him as one of the premier linebackers of his recruiting class.
Khaleke Hudson Family
Personal Life
Hudson was born and raised in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, the same city where he attended high school and first gained attention as a football prospect. Public information about his immediate family members is limited, and details about his parents, spouse, and children have not been widely reported. He measures 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighs approximately 220 pounds, the size that has defined his role as a physical, downhill linebacker throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 offseason saw Hudson move through three rosters in a short span. After spending 2024 with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns, he signed with the Tennessee Titans on August 12, 2025, providing him with another opportunity to compete for a roster spot. His release on August 19, 2025, brought his time in Tennessee to a close and left him searching for a new team heading into the regular season.
Looking ahead, Hudson’s professional resume, anchored by his special teams play and 117 career tackles, leaves him positioned as a depth linebacker candidate for clubs in need of veteran experience. His track record of bouncing between practice squads and active rosters suggests he will likely pursue another opportunity in the NFL in 2025, where his college production and special teams value can offer a clear role.