TCU Sackmaster Hughes was ‘Puny Little' RB

The transformation of Jerry Hughes from prep running back to standout defensive end at TCU was never more evident than in the photograph of a skinny kid someone taped to his locker.

It was a recruiting picture of Hughes, then a 210-pound high school player in Sugar Land who still envisioned himself being a ball carrier instead of a quarterback chaser. Next to that was one of the many rankings that lists Hughes as of the top defensive prospects going into the next NFL draft.

Now the muscular 6-foot-3 Hughes is about 50 pounds heavier -- in all the right places -- and among the most fierce pass rushers in college football. He led the nation with 15 sacks last year, his first as a full-time starter.

Even with opposing teams paying more attention with double-teams, unorthodox blocking and other tricks, Hughes already has six sacks and 26 tackles in his senior season for the 10th-ranked Horned Frogs (4-0).

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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