Starting long snapper who works hard on-and-off the field … steady and reliable … spends a lot of his time in the weight room …can get down the field quickly …. also prepped at tight end … good student in the classroom … awarded the Tom Nickolich Award by the Blue and Gold News for the walk-on who works hard and gives everything on-and-off the field … previous bowl trips: 2006 Sugar, 2007 Gator, 2008 Fiesta … Athletic Director’s Academic Honor Roll … BIG EAST Academic All-Star.

2007 (r-Jr.): Played in all 13 games … awarded with the Coach’s Contribution Award by the coaching staff … special teams champion: Western Michigan … out of 84 snaps last season, none were blocked due to a bad snap … collected three tackles, one solo stop and two assisted tackles … solo tackle at USF … assisted tackles against Mississippi State and Connecticut.

2006 (r-So.): Reserve special teamer who backed up Tim Lindsey at long snapper.

2005 (r-Fr.): Did not see any varsity action … member of the scout team.

2004 (Fr.): Redshirted … member of the scout team.

Prep: Team captain for Coach Ted Spadaro at Princeton High ... two-time all-state as a defensive end and tight end … selected two time All-Coalfield Conference ... state Heisman finalist … National Honor Society ... four-year honor student … weightlifting gladiator award.

Personal: Birthday is Dec. 25 ... son of Terry and Denise Hughes ... one of two children … majoring in a physical education teaching.