This is one of the most exciting NFL Draft seasons for Michigan fans in years, probably even surpassing the 2017 draft when Taco Charlton was taken in the first round, Jourdan Lewis seemed like a borderline first rounder, and several others were drafted. A couple players are expected to go in the first round, and another player is considered to be one of the top few players at his position.
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Casey Hughes (image via Salt Lake Tribune)
Name: Casey Hughes
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 185 lbs.
High school: North Las Vegas (NV) Legacy
Previous college: Utah
Position: Cornerback
Class: Fifth year senior
Jersey number: N/A
Last year: Hughes started eleven games at cornerback for Utah. He made 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 pass breakup.
TTB Rating: N/A
Hughes was a little bit of a surprise graduate transfer addition to Michigan’s defensive backfield. The Wolverines return everyone from last year and are bringing in a large defensive back recruiting class. Meanwhile, Hughes had a starting job at Utah and comes to a school where both starting corners are firmly entrenched, not just guys who are keeping the seat warm for someone better.
So where does Hughes fit? Insiders have suggested that he’s coming in to compete for the nickel defensive back position (currently slated to be Ambry Thomas) and press strong safety Josh Metellus for his role. Metellus struggled a little bit last season, and Thomas is still young, just entering his sophomore year. I don’t think Hughes will play a significant role unless there are injuries, but there’s something to be said for competition and keeping other guys on their toes. Hughes is a solid player, but he’s not going to be a game-changer. I expect him to have a minor role, kind of like when Wayne Lyons came in from Stanford a couple years ago.
Prediction: Backup nickel/safety
Casey Hughes (image via Zimbio)
Utah defensive back Casey Hughes has decided to transfer to Michigan as a graduate transfer for the 2018 season.
Hughes is 6’0″, 185 lbs. and started at cornerback for the Utes in 2017, when he made 35 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 pass breakup. He made 6 tackles and 1 forced fumble as a backup in 2015 and 2016 combined. He redshirted as a freshman in 2014. He has run 4.44 and 4.47 forties during his time at Utah.
As a high school recruit in the class of 2014, Hughes was a 247 Composite 3-star, the #126 cornerback, and #1595 overall. He had offers from Colorado, Nevada, Oregon State, UNLV, and Utah State, among others.
Hughes is known as a good tackler and tough player. He is expected to play nickel safety. There have been rumors since the season’s end that Michigan’s coaching staff was not happy with the safety position this past season, particularly in pass coverage. Hughes may be able to help with that as an obvious passing down substitution, and he could provide depth on the outside. However, he’s unlikely to become a starting corner since Michigan has two very good corners already in David Long and Lavert Hill.