Three Predictions: Micah Hudson, Ohio State, five-star QB transfers
Rivals rankings director/transfer portal analyst Adam Friedman has three predictions on a five-star receiver, Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and if a five-star quarterback will transfer.
1. MICAH HUDSON WILL NOT LIVE UP TO HIS FIVE-STAR RATING
To say things have gone sideways for Hudson is a bit of an understatement. The five-star from the 2024 recruiting class was absolutely unstoppable at the high school level and could have signed with any college he wanted. The Texas native picked Texas Tech because of the strong relationship he built with the coaching staff and the belief that he would thrive in Lubbock. After an underwhelming freshman season with the Red Raiders, Hudson transferred to Texas A&M in mid-December.
About a month after joining the Aggies, Hudson left the team for undisclosed reasons and he has yet to rejoin his new teammates. Texas A&M would love to have the talented receiver back but there is no timetable for his return. With Hudson in the fold, the Aggies would have a legitimate argument for the best receiver class in this transfer cycle. KC Concepcion, Mario Craver and Jonah Wilson are an impressive trio but Hudson’s skill set would have given the Aggies a receiver corps that, on paper, would have been tough to match.
Hudson’s lack of production as a freshman and this latest bump in the road make it unlikely he fulfills the five-star projection.
2. MATT PATRICIA WILL ADD A SAFETY IN THE NEXT TRANSFER WINDOW
Apparently Ohio State can reload at key assistant coach positions much like it does on the recruiting trail.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is gone but former NFL head coach and star assistant coach Matt Patricia is taking his place. The longtime New England Patriots defensive coordinator arrives in Columbus with three Super Bowl rings and the credibility to immediately take over the Ohio State defense.
One thing Knowles did a great job with during his time at Ohio State was making sure the Buckeyes were prepared to play a variety of defensive schemes. Ohio State had the personnel to allow Knowles to be as creative as he wanted and it resulted in the Buckeyes fielding the best defensive unit in college football.
The 2025 Ohio State defense is shaping up to be a good one but the biggest question mark is at safety. All-American Caleb Downs has one of the safety positions locked down but the other spot is seemingly up for grabs. Malik Hartford, Jaylen McClain and Davison Igbinosun could end up in that role but odds are good that Patricia and the Buckeyes add a safety in the spring transfer window.
3. AT LEAST ONE FIVE-STAR QB FROM THE 2025 CLASS WILL TRANSFER
The trajectory of a program can instantly change if they’re able to land a big-time quarterback. That’s why there is so much excitement when a five-star quarterback jumps onboard.
The fact of the matter is that six of the 11 five-star quarterbacks from the 2022-24 classes have transferred at least once so the excitement can quickly turn to disappointment when they leave or don’t pan out.
In the 2024 class, five-stars Air Noland (South Carolina) and Julian Sayin (Ohio State) have already transferred. Dante Moore (Oregon), Jackson Arnold (Auburn) and Malachi Nelson (Boise State/UTEP) were all five-stars in the 2023 class. Walker Howard (Louisiana) was just one of two five-star quarterbacks in the 2022 class.
With at least one quarterback from each of the three previous recruiting classes having transferred, a track record has emerged. So, which of the five-star quarterbacks from the 2025 class will end up transferring? Keelon Russell, Tavien St. Clair, Bryce Underwood, JuJu Lewis and Deuce Knight all seem like great fits at their respective schools but things can change in a hurry.
