A former walk-on who ran a blazing 4.43-second 40 at his pro day, Parker Hughes went from unrecruited linebacker to a seventh-round pick of the Jaguars in 2026.
Parker Hughes' rise from a lightly recruited high schooler in Elizabethton, Tennessee, to a seventh-round NFL draft pick is a story of steady development over five college seasons. After a career-best senior year at Middle Tennessee, the Jaguars selected him to add speed and tackling production to their linebacker room.
Path to the league
Hughes starred at Elizabethton High School, helping the team to two TSSAA BlueCross Bowl state titles and earning Class 4A Mr. Football honors as a senior, but drew little recruiting attention and walked on at Middle Tennessee. He played sparingly as a freshman before a one-season detour to Samford, then returned to Middle Tennessee and started 11 games in 2023. Jacksonville selected him with the 240th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL draft.
Career highlights
Hughes started 27 of 46 games across his Middle Tennessee career, finishing with 251 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and eight pass breakups. He served as a team captain, earned second-team All-Conference USA honors as a senior, and was the only CUSA player selected in the 2026 NFL draft.
2025 season recap
In his senior season, Hughes posted a career-best 100 tackles, along with three tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and two quarterback hurries, earning second-team All-Conference USA recognition. He also ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the draft combine, a mark that would have ranked first among all linebackers in attendance.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Parker Hughes
- Jaguars.com: No. 240 Overall, Hughes is the Selection
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Linebacker
- Group
- defense
- College
- Middle Tennessee
- Hometown
- Elizabethton, TN, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
