After playing college football for Oregon State, he was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL draft.

[4] Hughes and two other players were ejected from a November 10, 2007, game against Washington for a skirmish after a play.

[6] He was selected to the 2009 East–West Shrine Game following his college career[7] in which he recorded 178 tackles and three interceptions.

[8] After suffering a knee injury in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons,[12] he was placed on injured reserve on September 1, 2009.

[14] Hughes was signed off the Giants' practice squad by the Philadelphia Eagles on November 23, 2010, to fill the slot vacated after cornerback Ellis Hobbs was placed on the injured reserve.