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ILLUSTRATED VOLUME 25, ISSUE 3 77 f the backend, with what he believes in and our philoso- phies meshed, we were able to do some things, scheme- wise, and set a base defense and have a true base defense, something you could hang your hat on and go in and really line up every formation in. So that was one thing." Gold and Black: We expected to see that rush end position be more mobile, moving around the defense. Is that a progression we'll see? Hudson: "That rush end, the mobility comes from the guy. His job is to go. Rarely does he play in a gap where guys are on both sides of him, so that position was turned loose a lot. We needed more productivity out of it. "I think one game, for whatever reason, if you look at the Notre Dame game, the rush end position was a factor and actually played the position the way it needs to be played." Gold and Black: Why that game? Hudson: "Good question." Gold and Black: You need more out of that spot. Can Gelen Robinson (who was the backup to Jalani Phillips last season) be that kind of player? Hudson: "Yes. Yes, he can. He can do things at a rate of speed and keep his power at the same time. He'll be able to do that." Gold and Black: Is he tall enough? Does it matter? Hudson: "Yeah, it matters. You can probably be too tall and you can probably be too short. So it's somewhere in between. He's fine." Gold and Black: Is that the spot you need more out of from a pass rushing and disruption point of view, that you did not get enough of consistently in 2014? Hudson: "Yes. And really our sacks numbers, as we got into league play, diminished. And then Jake Replogle really came on and got better every week. Iowa and Illinois, we were good there and then we sort of tailed off, and then Jake really you could see weekly progress in his develop- ment. And really the three-technique (Replogle's position) in this defense really as much as the rush end should be a factor in the passing game. There are times when that position has more sacks than the rush end. That's not un- usual." Gold and Black: How about that defensive end po- sition, should that be more of a sack position for you? Hudson: "Yeah, it depends on the protection. Teams can take one guy out of it and turn it whichever way they want, so it's figuring out what you're getting protection-wise, but that position at times could have a tight end affecting the width in his alignment or have guys on both sides of him, so it's not necessarily as high, but that's also a position where it should be a factor in the running game, from a tackles for loss standpoint." Gold and Black: I ask because Ryan Russell didn't have a lot of sacks last season, only three, but he probably played better than the numbers indicate. Hudson: "Oh yeah, he did. When guys look at the film, they see what kind of athlete he is and arm length and stuff, so they're going to have an eye on him. And that's where if the guys on the inside are a consistent factor, then that guy, it works hand-in-hand." Gold and Black: One of the biggest improvements this year was to develop three linebackers who you feel like you can play with in the Big Ten. Because you probably weren't there a year ago, right? Hudson: "Yeah. The one thing that you've got to do is consistently develop your backup guys. You've got to keep working on that second group because you're going to blink an eye and they're going to be out there starting. And Tom Campbell Defensive tackle Jake Replogle came on at the end of last season and could be one of the pass-rushers the defense needs to take another step forward.