It’s taken a while, but Davidson High safety Chris Hughes is finally getting noticed by Auburn.
Hughes, 6-1, and 215 pounds, has nine scholarship offers, with seven coming from major programs. But Auburn had not shown interest until wide receivers coach Curtis Luper saw him during spring practice.
Hughes says he hopes a big senior season could attract an Auburn offer.
“Auburn said they would not be offering me any time soon, but they’re talking to me,” Hughes said. “I really believe if I have a good season, I’ll get that offer.
“Alabama hasn’t shown any interest in me at all, so I really have no interest there. But I’m definitely looking at Auburn.”
Hughes, who said he plans to speak with Luper about setting up an unofficial visit, was a standout at the Nike Combine in Mobile in February. He had the combine’s highest SPARQ (speed, power, agility, reaction, quickness) at 114.84. He ran the 40 in 4.3 seconds, the shuttle in 4.29 seconds, had a 33.9 inch vertical and threw the power ball 37.5 feet.
Hughes claims offers from Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Southern Miss., Clemson, Arkansas, Louisville and Kansas State. Auburn's interest, he says, could delay his final decision.
“I wouldn’t hurt to make an early decision,” Hughes said. “But with Auburn starting to talk to me now, I think I might hold off and see what happens.”
A big reason Hughes has a growing interest in Auburn is a pair of former high school teammates who currently play for the Tigers.
“I know Michael McNeal and Gabe McKenzie really well,” Hughes said. “We talk all the time. They’re the ones that tell me to keep my head up and encourage me. They talk to me about Auburn all the time and how great it is there.”
