SE: Hughes Proved Ready for Bigger Role When Called Upon
Oct 05, 2018 | Football, Sports Extra
By Corbin McGuire
K-State linebacker Justin Hughes waited a long time for his chance to show what he could do on the field.
The Georgia native redshirted in 2015, did not play a snap the following season and tallied just four tackles between special teams and reserve duty in 2017, all while patiently preparing for an extensive opportunity on defense.
Last Saturday against Texas, Hughes got it. Injuries opened the door for him to see the field on a full-time basis, and he made the most of it. The redshirt junior collected six solo tackles that included one tackle for loss, helping K-State's defense limit Texas to only 10 points from its offense, which included none in the second half.
"I hate the way I got the chance to go in, but I have to make the best of my chances," he said. "At first, I was a little nervous walking out there but as I heard the crowd having the defense's back I was, like, 'Yeah, man. It's my chance. I have to go out there and make the best of it.' I had to put the nerves aside and go out there and play."
For three-plus years, Hughes prepared for this moment.
The past few years, Hughes said he carefully watched linebackers ahead of him, like Trent Tanking, Elijah Lee and Charmeachealle Moore. He took a little something different from each of the former Wildcats.
"I just had to wait my turn, become better, learn what they did well at K-State," he said, "and I just had to emphasize that and put that toward my game. Learning from those guys has been a tremendous help for me."
Hughes also credited his improved conditioning for his readiness to step into a bigger role. Specifically, he named K-State Sports Dietician/Nutritionist Scott Trausch as a big influence on preparing him physically.
"I'm just eating better and drinking better, getting my body right," Hughes said, adding that he's more cognizant of the types of proteins and carbohydrates he puts into his body. "That's the kind of stuff that Scott has me focusing on and getting better with."
On the field, Hughes said his understanding of the defense has developed to a point where it's second nature. Now, his instincts can work hand in hand with K-State's defensive principals. A year ago, he said, that was not necessarily the case.
"I'm much more prepared. I know the game a year better than I did last year. I take each and every day trying to learn something new," Hughes said. "Coach (Jon Fabris) talks to me every day and preaches that you learn something new every day so don't take each day for granted because you never know when it's your chance."
When Hughes stepped on the field last Saturday, K-State's defense did not skip a beat. The Wildcats shut out the Longhorns in the second half with him at linebacker, and he was not alone. K-State, which travels to play Baylor on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., on FS1, was also without its usual starters at strong safety and nickelback against Texas. Regardless, the Wildcats played some of their best defense of the season, an encouraging sign, Hughes said.
"If one player goes down, it's the next man up. So, if the guy in front of you goes down you better know what you're doing when you get out there because that's your chance, and I feel like I made the best of mine," he said. "We made some improvements in the second half. Seeing those improvements being made, it shows us how great we can be. We're all going to get on board and get better each day and come out with that same mentality we had in the second half for the rest of the season."
K-State linebacker Justin Hughes waited a long time for his chance to show what he could do on the field.
The Georgia native redshirted in 2015, did not play a snap the following season and tallied just four tackles between special teams and reserve duty in 2017, all while patiently preparing for an extensive opportunity on defense.
Last Saturday against Texas, Hughes got it. Injuries opened the door for him to see the field on a full-time basis, and he made the most of it. The redshirt junior collected six solo tackles that included one tackle for loss, helping K-State's defense limit Texas to only 10 points from its offense, which included none in the second half.
"I hate the way I got the chance to go in, but I have to make the best of my chances," he said. "At first, I was a little nervous walking out there but as I heard the crowd having the defense's back I was, like, 'Yeah, man. It's my chance. I have to go out there and make the best of it.' I had to put the nerves aside and go out there and play."
For three-plus years, Hughes prepared for this moment.
The past few years, Hughes said he carefully watched linebackers ahead of him, like Trent Tanking, Elijah Lee and Charmeachealle Moore. He took a little something different from each of the former Wildcats.
"I just had to wait my turn, become better, learn what they did well at K-State," he said, "and I just had to emphasize that and put that toward my game. Learning from those guys has been a tremendous help for me."
Hughes also credited his improved conditioning for his readiness to step into a bigger role. Specifically, he named K-State Sports Dietician/Nutritionist Scott Trausch as a big influence on preparing him physically.
"I'm just eating better and drinking better, getting my body right," Hughes said, adding that he's more cognizant of the types of proteins and carbohydrates he puts into his body. "That's the kind of stuff that Scott has me focusing on and getting better with."
On the field, Hughes said his understanding of the defense has developed to a point where it's second nature. Now, his instincts can work hand in hand with K-State's defensive principals. A year ago, he said, that was not necessarily the case.
"I'm much more prepared. I know the game a year better than I did last year. I take each and every day trying to learn something new," Hughes said. "Coach (Jon Fabris) talks to me every day and preaches that you learn something new every day so don't take each day for granted because you never know when it's your chance."
When Hughes stepped on the field last Saturday, K-State's defense did not skip a beat. The Wildcats shut out the Longhorns in the second half with him at linebacker, and he was not alone. K-State, which travels to play Baylor on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., on FS1, was also without its usual starters at strong safety and nickelback against Texas. Regardless, the Wildcats played some of their best defense of the season, an encouraging sign, Hughes said.
"If one player goes down, it's the next man up. So, if the guy in front of you goes down you better know what you're doing when you get out there because that's your chance, and I feel like I made the best of mine," he said. "We made some improvements in the second half. Seeing those improvements being made, it shows us how great we can be. We're all going to get on board and get better each day and come out with that same mentality we had in the second half for the rest of the season."
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
LB
/ FootballK-State FB | Welcome back Collin Klein
Monday, December 08
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Radio Interview
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Head Coach Collin Klein Official Introductory Event
Friday, December 05
K-State FB | Thank You Coach Klieman
Wednesday, December 03
