Q&A With Former Hawaii QB Hunter Hughes on new OSU QB Dru Brown

If Oklahoma State’s 2018 quarterback situation wasn’t clear at the conclusion of last season, it certainly isn’t now, considering Hawaii graduate transfer Dru Brown threw his name into the mix recently.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7

Grateful for the opportunity to play for Oklahoma State University in my final season #HumbleBeginnings #GoPokes pic.twitter.com/yR4PGluOxz

— Dru Brown (@dbrownTNDO) February 4, 2018

Brown, from San Mateo, California (the same city Tom Brady is from), played one year at the College of San Mateo before becoming a two-year starter at Hawaii. Here’s a brief look at his numbers.

I spoke with Hunter Hughes, who took on a bit of a leadership role as a quarterback on Hawaii’s scout team for the past couple of seasons. Hughes, 26, once a walk-on, received a scholarship at a WWE event. Pretty cool stuff.

Hughes said he’s “very close” with Brown, and he had a lot of valuable and telling insight to share with us. Here’s a transcript of my conversation with him. You might finish reading this with a changed perspective on who will start for the Cowboys next season. Let’s get to it.

Luke Garza: Who is Dru Brown? How would you describe him to someone who doesn’t know him?

Hunter Hughes: Dru is a man of character. Dru is the kind of guy you can go to and talk to about anything, and you know he’s not gonna give you just the runaround. He’ll give you not only the time of day, but he’ll be invested in whatever you’re going through. If you got a problem, then he’ll see what he can do to help you with it.

He’s mature beyond his years. That’s one thing, being an older guy on this team, I was able to relate to him at a personal level and a spiritual level and just a character level a lot deeper than a lot of the other guys on the team. He loves the Lord, he’s a strong Christian man, and he really wears that on his sleeve. That’s the kind of man that I’m privileged to know.

LG: You mentioned he’s mature beyond his years. What do you think contributes to that?

HH: He’s got great parents. He was raised in a good home where character and virtue and that kind of stuff was expected of him. He’s the youngest of three. He’s got two older sisters and they’re just good people. Good people produce more good people.

LG: How do you think those qualities translate to playing quarterback?

HH: Dru is the definition of “Lead by example.” In the locker room and with the guys, he’s vocal. On the field, he’s a little more to himself. He’s more focused on getting the job done and doing what’s asked of him.

He’s a great guy; if you ask him to do something, he’s gonna follow through exactly how it’s asked. He’s not the kind of ‘Rah rah’ in your face, yelling kind of person. Dru is a little more laid back, but he produces. Because of that, guys respect him for his ability to lead by example.

LG: Can you describe a time where his leadership really stuck out to you?

HH: When he first came over here, he came during fall camp, and he came in hungry. At that time we had a two-year returning starting senior out here named Ikaika Woolsey. The team was already his, but Dru came in with this kind of quiet and humble, but yet, in the same breath, confidence. I can do this, I can win this job. Even with the limited knowledge I have and the limited time I have with this team, I’m coming in and doing what I can to win this job. It was kind of quiet confidence backed up with his play on the field that spoke to me, where I was like, ‘OK. This kid’s the real deal.’

LG: How big of an impact do you feel he can make at Oklahoma State?

HH: A big thing that I’ve been excited to see with Dru next year, is what could possibly happen when he has the tools that Oklahoma State provides you. Every single one of your receivers is 6-5 and runs a 4.5. What he was able to do over here in Hawaii with – I love everybody we’ve played with – but it’s not comparable. What he was able to do is pretty miraculous. What I’m really excited, and what me and him have been excited about together, is, ‘What is the possibility with the tools that are gonna be at hand over there?’

Whenever I heard he was looking at Oklahoma State, my heart jumped, because I’m like, ‘Man. What would I do in a situation like that? I would just jump at the opportunity to throw to guys that I know are athletic phenoms.’ It just makes his job that much more easy.

LG: On the field, what are Dru’s biggest strengths?

HH: I think one of Dru’s biggest assets is his consistency. You’re gonna get the same thing day in and day out with him. He’s also incredibly mentally tough. Times when it’d be tough, when he’d get stung or something would happen, he was always in the game. There would be times when maybe we’d be up or we’d be in a tight game, and coach would feel like, ‘Maybe we gotta go with something else,’ and I remember Dru saying, ‘Don’t you dare take the ball away from me. We got this, we still got this in our hands.’

He’s got heart. He’s got heart to the very end. You’re never gonna be in a situation where he doesn’t believe that he’s got it, that he’s the man for the job. That’s who Dru is.

LG: Is Dru set on becoming the starter at OSU or will he be content with any roll he fills here?

HH: He’s leaving to win the job. The only reason why he’s leaving his starting job over here in Hawaii, is to go and start at Oklahoma State. I don’t think he’d have any problem with me making that known because that’s just the man he is. He’s not into doing anything half-heartedly. His yes is yes, and his no is no.

Whatever he does and wherever he goes, he’s about it with all his heart. He wants this with everything he’s got. That’s why he’s uprooting his life and moving to Stillwater, to be the man for you guys.

LG: What do you think sold him on coming to OSU?

HH: A big thing was his interview with Mike Gundy, man. He felt like not only did this guy believe in him, but he wanted him bad. That was a big turn-on to him. His high school team was orange and black, so he loves your guys’ colors, which I gave him crap about. It’s a little bit of both of those, but to play in the Big 12 (was a big reason). I knew he felt the most momentum over there. He’s your guy, man. No doubt in my mind.