Kicker/punter Hudson Hollenbeck committed to Michigan on social media. He was a class of 2022 walk-on at Mississippi State but did not see the field last season.
I usually don't do commitment posts for walk-ons, but this seems slightly different, since Hollenbeck is joining the team from another FBS program. (Reasons for the transfer are unclear at this point, but it's important to remember that Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach died unexpectedly, so the program is going through a change this off-season.)
It’s a blessing to wear the historic Maize and Blue!! Let’s get to work @UMichFootball and GO BLUE!! Special thanks to @JayHarbaugh and @JTBrown721 for believing in me and presenting me with this amazing opportunity!! I am COMMITTED to the University of Michigan!!!! pic.twitter.com/HMpstRMBQg
— Hudson Hollenbeck (@hollenbeck_h6) May 4, 2023
Hollenbeck is listed at 6'3" and 195 lbs. on the Bulldogs' roster. He was a 5-star and the #7 punter in the class of 2022, according to Kohl's Kicking, and he was a 4.5-star kicker. He enters the program with four years of eligibility remaining.
Michigan's kicking situation is in flux, because both specialists (kicker Jake Moody and punter Brad Robbins) were drafted in last weekend's NFL Draft. The Wolverines recently got a commitment from Louisville kicker James Turner, but he has just one season remaining. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Tommy Doman and true freshman kicker Adam Samaha will both be on scholarship this fall. Doman has punted once for 41 yards and had 8 kickoffs (with 6 touchbacks) in his career so far.
I would suspect that Hollenbeck will compete for playing time with Doman on punts but may be more of a factor on kickoffs, which might prevent Doman from having to pull double duty.
Hollenbeck is originally from Collierville (TN) Collierville.
Here are Hudson Hollenbeck's Hudl highlights (say that five times fast):
Sounds like many options and plenty of competition for kickers on the roster. Very Harbaugh.
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