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).