Coming in today at the no. 34 position in the Top 50 Greatest Football Players in Alcorn history is Nate Hughes. Hughes played wide receiver for the Braves from 2003 to 2007 and was one of the most athletic players to ever come through the "Reservation." He possessed great hands and used his agility skills to get away from defenders.
Hughes saw immediate action his freshman season in 2003 catching 27 passes for 594 yards and four touchdowns. His best game that season was against Southern when he caught four passes for 158 yards and three touchdowns vs. Southeastern Louisiana.
In 2004, he took his game to another level reeling in 48 catches for 761 yards and four touchdowns. He finished 4th in the SWAC in receptions and 3rd in the SWAC in receiving yards to earn a spot on the All-SWAC 2nd Team Offense. His best game was vs. Southern where he caught nine passes for 131 yards. He also went 2-for-3 in passing yards for 111 yards.
After skipping the 2005 season due to an injury, Hughes returned to the field in 2006 and became more explosive during the season. Hughes led the team in receptions catching 40 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns. Hughes was awarded the opportunity to return punts and kickoffs as well. He led the team in all-purpose yards returning 19 kickoffs for 406 yards and 22 punts for 460 yards and two touchdowns. He ranked 2nd in the FCS in punt returns averaging 20.2 yards per return. His best game that season was against Jackson State where he scored three total touchdowns and returned a 71 yard punt for a touchdown.
In his final season as a Brave in 2007 he accumulated 1,606 all-purpose yards. He caught 46 passes for 569 yards and scored four touchdowns and returned one punt for a touchdown. His best game that season was vs. Jackson State where he caught six passes for 101 yards and scored two touchdowns. He was named to the All-SWAC 1st Team Offense as a wide receiver and returner.
Hughes is ranked 2nd all-time in school history in receptions (154) and 5th all-time in receiving yards (2,335). He also owns the record in career punt return average in a career (15.9) and best punt return average ini a season (20.4).
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