NEW ORLEANS — Coming into this season, one of the biggest questions for Tulane Football was who would emerge as the lead running back to replace Tyjae Spears. Through seven games, that mystery has been solved, and his name is Makhi Hughes.
The redshirt freshman currently leads the American Athletic Conference in rushing. Over the last three games, Hughes has eclipsed the 100-yard mark each week with 4 touchdowns during that span.
During rehab, Hughes not only leaned on his family, but also Spears, who suffered a season-ending knee injury back in 2020. Spears became the perfect mentor and example for his comeback.
Hughes was fully cleared by doctors the week of the Cotton Bowl. Then in the offseason, he entered a five-man competition at running back that carried into September. But it was Week 5 when Hughes finally arrived.
He rushed for over 100 yards and had two touchdowns for the first time in his career. And what made it special was it came against his hometown team, Alabama-Birmingham.
This journey is far from over for Hughes, but he can take pride in where this path has led him thus far.
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