Texas Tech freshman receiver Micah Hudson, the Red Raiders’ highest-ranked recruit in the modern recruiting era, plans to enter the transfer portal, a source briefed on the decision confirmed.

Hudson, who came to Texas Tech in the 2024 recruiting class, was the program’s first five-star signee. In his first college season, according to Pro Football Focus, he appeared in eight games and played a total of 107 snaps, catching eight balls for 123 yards. After a 35-34 loss to TCU on October 26, Hudson did not play in the final four games of the season.

Injuries disrupted Hudson’s first year on campus several times. He missed spring football because of knee surgery and missed the end of the year because of a lower leg injury.

Texas Tech also placed a heavy emphasis on using its veteran receivers, led by Josh Kelly, a transfer from Washington State, and Caleb Douglas, a transfer from Florida, which limited Hudson’s playing time. Kelly led the team with 89 catches for 1,023 yards, while Douglas was second on the team with 55 catches for 762 yards. Sophomore Coy Eakin (45 catches, 605 yards) also played a big role in the passing game.

The lack of playing time and production was in stark contrast to the expectations Hudson had when he arrived. In May, Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire praised Hudson’s maturity, saying Hudson was better than any of the four receivers he coached at Cedar Hill (Texas) High who went on to the NFL. He said at the time that he expected Hudson to play a lot, if not start, for the Red Raiders.

Instead, Hudson only had four games in which he recorded double-digit snaps, with a season-high 33 in a Week 3 win over North Texas.

Still, Hudson’s raw athletic talent is considerable, and he will likely be a desirable candidate in the transfer portal because of it. For his commitment in 2023, the Red Raiders competed against several major programs, including rival Texas.

(Photo: Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)