FB: Hughes Drafted In First Round By Indianapolis

April 23rd, 2010
TCU Media Relations

Former TCU standout Jerry Hughes was selected in the first round of the 2010 National Football League draft, the 31st player overall, by the Indianapolis Colts.

Hughes is the first TCU player to be drafted in the first round since LaDainian Tomlinson by the San Diego Chargers in 2001. Hughes is the 12th first-round draft pick in TCU history and the highest selection from the defensive side of the ball since cornerback Allanda Smith was taken with the 13th overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 1984.

The Horned Frogs have now had 22 players drafted in the nine-year tenure of head coach Gary Patterson.

Indianapolis is the defending AFC champion. The 2010 AFC champion will practice at TCU in preparation for the 2011 Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

Hughes, the 2009 Lott Trophy and Ted Hendricks Award winner, was just the second two-time consensus All-American in TCU history. Also a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Hughes had 11 1/2 sacks among 16 1/2 tackles for loss from his defensive end position. He totaled a career-high 58 stops.

Over his final two years, Hughes recorded 26 1/2 sacks. TCU led the nation in defense both seasons while ranking sixth and seventh, respectively, in 2009 and 2008 season-ending polls. Hughes led TCU to its first BCS appearance last season as the Horned Frogs played in the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

A native of Sugar Land, Texas, Hughes never played defense until arriving at TCU. He was a tailback and kickoff returner in high school.

Hughes, who took 18 academic hours in the fall semester, will graduate next month with a degree in communications. He will have earned his degree in four years.

In October 2009, Hughes received a Local Hero Award from Bank of America for his community service.

Rounds two and three of the 2010 NFL Draft will be held Friday, while the final four rounds take place Saturday.

Last season, TCU had five players drafted for its highest total since 2001 when six Horned Frogs were selected. TCU had the most draft picks of any football program in the state of Texas while tying for 10th-best nationally.

TCU's First-Round Draft Choices
1936 - Jimmy Lawrence, WB
1937 - Sam Baugh, QB
1939 - Ki Aldrich, C
1939 - I.B. Hale, T
1939 - Davey O'Brien, QB
1958 - Jim Shofner, DB
1960 - Jack Spikes, FB
1961 - Bob Lilly, DT
1970 - Norm Bulaich, RB
1984 - Allanda Smith, DB
2001 - LaDainian Tomlinson, RB
2010 - Jerry Hughes, DE

Courtesy TCU Athletics