100 Days of Summer: Get to Know No. 70 Ben Hughes

Our next chapter of the countdown brings us to a fifth-year senior who’s facing one last chance to make his mark as a Cowboy.

How he got to OSU

Hughes was a 247Sports three-star recruit out of University High School (Waco, Tex.) who chose OSU over offers from hometown school Baylor as well as Mississippi State, Kansas and Tulsa. ESPN ranked Hughes as a four-star prospect and the 31st-best defensive tackle in the 2013 class.

What he’s done in Stillwater

After redshirting in 2013, Hughes has seen sparse reps. In fact, through three active seasons, he’s only appeared in five games and recorded one tackle twice. He’s been lauded as one of the strongest players on team

Role in 2017

It’s yet to be seen. The Cowboys look to boast a talented and deep tackle rotation, even with the loss of Vincent Taylor and Mote Maile from a year ago. Darrion Daniels and DeQuinton Osborne are sure to make their case for starting roles. Then you have Trey Carter who’s moved over from end after putting on nearly 40 pounds and Vili Leveni, the DL Swiss Army Knife who should finally be healthy. Let’s not forget former Michigan State DT Enoch Smith Jr. and freshman Cameron Murray who are both ready for their shot.

But Hughes could still factor into the rotation and has the physical gifts that should allows garnered reps. At 6-1 and 325 pounds and with his type of strength, there is no reason he couldn’t be a useful cog in the D-line machine engineered by Joe Bob Clements. We’ll see if he can take advantage.

Noteworthy stats and highlights

Hughes was a multi-sport athlete in high school, participating in football, basketball, power lifting, soccer and track and field. He won state in Texas Class 4A shot put.