DB Hughes is next Knight eager to shine

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s entirely possible NFL executives haven’t seen the fastest UCF athlete.

Shaquem Griffin delivered an electrifying 4.38 second 40-yard dash, the fastest by a linebacker since 2003 and third fastest at the NFL Scouting Combine so far.

Defensive back Mike Hughes, however, is ready to take his best aim at generating more combine buzz for UCF alums. He already showed off his brawn with 20 bench press reps, finishing second among all defensive backs. The number also marked a personal-best for Hughes, a North Carolina native.

“I really want to run well, so I’ve been taking pride in the technique that goes into running the 40,” said Hughes, who has been training in California since helping the Knights secure a perfect 13-0 record with a Peach Bowl Jan. 1.

Hughes wanted to keep his personal best time since training under wraps. At UCF, he battled speedy running back Adrian Killins for the title of fastest player, often running in the low 4.3 range.

But he’s been working on techniques to shave time since he signed with Keyshawn Johnson’s agency, First Picks Sports.

Hughes entered the weekend a projected firstround NFL draft pick and is considered the third best defensive back behind Minkah Fitzpatrick and Denzel Ward.

Like Ward, Hughes is on the shorter side at 5-foot-11.

“I kind of use my quickness a lot and teams don’t know that I’m strong,” said Hughes when asked how he compensates for being a shorter defensive back. “I’m a strong corner and I think I showed that in the bench press today. I use my quickness a lot to get up on guys and I can run with anybody.”

Hughes said he takes a lot of pride in the weight room and his heaviest bench press has been in the 300-plus range.

But drills and skills can only capture a part of his value. Most of his speed and strength happen on the field — like his season-saving 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to help beat rival USF during the 2017 season.

“Special teams is a gamechanging factor of the game, so I take a lot of pride in trying to help out the offense whenever they’re struggling or even when we have momentum. I like to flip the field and take it for six,” Hughes said. “I take a lot of pride in special teams, and I feel like the scouts, they know how explosive I am when I can get the ball in my hands.”