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Northeast Mississippi Community College outside linebacker Reginald Hughes unofficially visited Oxford over the weekend. After merely a day with the coaching staff, the Tunica, Miss. native made it official and committed to Ole Miss. Co-defensive coordinator DJ Durkin and assistant coach Coleman Hutzler were Hughes’ primary recruiters.
The 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker impressed the staff earlier this month with his performance at their elite camp, earning an offer and a spot on the Rebels’ proverbial board for the 2022 cycle.
Hughes took a trip to Mississippi State last week, but once he returned to Oxford, he made it official and gave his verbal pledge to Durkin, Hutzler, and head coach Lane Kiffin.
YES, I AM % COMMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI LET’S GOOO!!!!! @CoachDurkin @Coach_MSpurlock @CoachHutzler pic.twitter.com/Yw4oC9QgQq
— Reginald Hughes (@reginaldh16) June 26, 2021
As a freshman at NEMCC, Hughes made 23 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a forced fumble in just six games due to a COVID-shortened season. After competing as a sophomore in 2022, Hughes will graduate in December and report in January. He will have three years to play two.
Hughes prepped at Rosa Fort High School, making 84 tackles as a senior along with 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.
How does he fit in?
Hughes reportedly flashed in the 40-yard dash during Ole Miss’ elite camp, running a sub-4.60 time. That paired with his impressive frame was enough to earn an offer and a spot in Kiffin’s 2022 class. The junior college prospect is extremely explosive off the edge, utilizing his footspeed to get past slower offensive tackles. The newest Rebel commit is very physical at the point of attack and appears to be a consistent tackler in space when pursuing the quarterback in pass situations and running backs at the line of scrimmage.