:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61752179/DSW_9197-e1511650244460.0.0.jpg)
UCF cornerback and kick returner Mike Hughes is going to be a Minnesota Viking.
The speedy shutdown DB was selected with the 30th pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
New #Vikings CB @_Bigmikee1 was a 1st-team All-AAC performer in 2017 with 44 tackles, 4 INTs and 11 pass breakups.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) April 27, 2018
: https://t.co/kgutbboZYY pic.twitter.com/vZz9YE50Vx
With the #30 overall pick in the 2018 #NFLDraft, the @Vikings select CB #MikeHughes (@_Bigmikee1)!
— NFL (@NFL) April 27, 2018
: NFLN/FOX/ESPN pic.twitter.com/jfnfE12HZd
BOOM! He’s soon to have reservations for 6 in Minneapolis!
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) April 27, 2018
Congrats to @_BigMikee1 on becoming the highest defensive player drafted in UCF history!#BuiltByUCF ⚔️ @Vikings pic.twitter.com/JyZRZV02Em
Hughes' college teammate Shaquem Griffin shared a screengrab of their video chat tonight:
Congrats to my brother @_Bigmikee1 love you bruh you deserve it pic.twitter.com/YfEpqJSGm2
— shaquem griffin (@Shaquemgriffin) April 27, 2018
And Hughes also got messages of goodwill from Vikings legend Cris Carter, as well as one of his new teammates, and the guy he'll be opposing in practice quite a bit, Vikings QB Kirk Cousins:
Tremendous value and filled a huge need at nickel CB with Mike Hughes from UCF #SkolVikings
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) April 27, 2018
Welcome to the team @_Bigmikee1! Looking forward to competing in practice. #skol
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) April 27, 2018
For Hughes' pre-draft outlook, visit here.
Hughes is the fourth UCF Knight to ever be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft, joining Daunte Culpepper, Blake Bortles, and Breshad Perriman. He's also the first Knight to be drafted by the Vikings since fellow DB Josh Robinson in 2012 (Robinson is now in Tampa Bay).
He joins UCF alumnus Latavius Murray on the Vikings' roster.
Last year, the Vikings were second in the NFL in fewest pass yards allowed and ranked 8th in punt return average and 3rd in kickoff return average as a team. Hughes should fit in nicely in the Minnesota secondary:
Some notes on new #Vikings CB Mike Hughes...
— Adam Patrick (@Str8_Cash_Homey) April 27, 2018
- Not beaten for a pass longer than 21 yds in 2017
- Did not allow a TD in 2017
- Allowed an NFL passer rating of just 35.5
- Surrendered only 273 yds in coverage
- 31.9 yds per kick return and 16.6 per punt in 2017
(Per PFF)
Hughes spent only one season at UCF, and what a season it was:
The second and third rounds of the NFL Draft take place Friday starting at 7 p.m. UCF alumni Tre'Quan Smith and Shaquem Griffin remain available on the draft board, and might hear their names called on Day 2.