Drew Hughes

Position:
Defensive Lineman
Ht./Wt.:
6-2 / 302
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
Willow Springs, Ill.
Prev School:
Nazareth Academy
High School:
Nazareth Academy

Awards and Honors:
2025 Preseason All-MAC (third team DT by Athlon Sports; third team DT by Phil Steele College Football Preview)

Ball State Sports Link (Dec. 5, 2023): Drew Hughes : True Friends Stay in our Hearts

Returning starter on the Ball State defensive line.

2024 (R-Jr.): Started the first 11 games of his career, helping to anchor the Cardinals' defensive line ... appeared in every game and finished the season with 22 tackles and a pass deflection ... season-high five tackles in a homecoming win over NIU (Oct. 26).

2023 (R-So.): Played in 11 of 12 games with no starts ... totaled two solo tackles and seven assisted tackles ... one and a half tackles for loss for 3 yards ... career-high four tackles against Indiana State (Sept. 16) ... career-high one-and-a-half tackles for loss against Indiana State (Sept. 16).

2022 (R-Fr._: College debut in his only appearance, in the Cards' home opener vs. Western Michigan (Sept. 10).

2021 (Fr.): Took a redshirt.

HIGH SCHOOL: Four-year letterwinner at Nazareth Academy ... played for head coach Tim Racki … played both offensive and defensive line plus tight end in high school ... team captain as a senior … senior season moved to the spring due to the coronavirus pandemic ... helped Nazareth to three state championship appearances ... member of the honor roll.

PERSONAL: Son of Rick and Lynn Hughes … has one sister ... played high school ball at Nazareth Academy with former Ball State teammate Tanner Koziol, and current NFL QB J.J. McCarthy ... wore #95 his first two seasons at Ball State, but switched to #47 to honor his high school teammate, best friend and former UNLV defensive lineman Ryan Keeler who tragically passed away in February 2023 due to a heart condition.