Makhi Hughes News, Rumors, Updates - Houston Cougars

84 yards in win Hughes notched 16 carries for 70 yards and gathered in their only target for 14 yards during Saturday's 42-28 victory over Georgia Southern.

Impact Hughes was outcarried by Re'Shaun Sanford (17 attempts) Saturday, and Sanford rushed for 50 more yards. While that's not great news for Hughes, Hughes still played well and still appears to be the team's No. 1 option, Sanford just had the hot hand versus Georgia Southern. However, given how well Sanford is playing, hopes of Hughes being the lone workhorse back are gone, though he has maintained good production while splitting the work.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

College Football Week 3 Expert Picks, Predictions For Ole Miss-LSU And More

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SEPTEMBER 19 • FOX SPORTS

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Productive in Friday's loss Hughes tallied 15 rushes for 71 yards and caught 2 of 4 targets for 28 yards during Friday's 28-26 loss against Texas Tech.

Impact Hughes narrowly missed the century mark Saturday, logging 99 total yards in the close road loss. He averaged nearly five yards per carry against a tough Texas Tech defense, and added two catches on four targets in the passing game. The team clearly wants Hughes to touch the ball a lot, especially in more competitive games, making him a valuable asset as the bulk of conference play is just two weeks away.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in blowout win Hughes tallied eight rushes for 44 yards and one touchdown during Saturday's 77-6 win against Southern University.

Impact Hughes scored a one-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter Saturday, his second touchdown in as many games to open up the season. He managed 44 rushing yards on his eight attempts, as he and the rest of the starting offense were pulled from the game early. He figures to have a larger workload Friday in a difficult matchup at Texas Tech.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

No. 22 Houston routs Southern 77-6 in game played briefly without stadium lights

Conner Weigman threw for 120 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to his backup, and No. 22 Houston routed Southern 77-6 in a game played briefly without stadium lights due...

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Leads backfield in opener Hughes notched 17 rushes for 98 yards and one touchdown and gathered in all two targets for eight yards during Saturday's 33-20 win against Oregon State.

Impact Hughes led the Cougars in rushing attempts and yards in Saturday's opener, and topped it off in the third quarter with a one-yard touchdown. While Re'Shaun Sanford (11 carries for 75 yards and a score) had a significant role, Hughes is still the clear starter. He faces a very favorable matchup next versus Southern University.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Oregon Ducks Outgoing Transfers Finally Getting Their Shot Elsewhere Running back Makhi Hughes arrived in Eugene as the next man up in the Oregon Ducks backfield. As a freshman for Tulane, Hughes posted 1,378...

SEPTEMBER 3 • SI.COM

With Weigman back at QB, No. 23 Houston eyes a run at the Big 12 title after 10-win breakout season

The Cougars should be one of the top teams in the Big 12 a year after making a six-game improvement to win 10 games in coach Willie Fritz’s second season

AUGUST 20 • Associated Press

Makhi Hughes named to Doak Walker Award Watch List Another player who hasn't taken a snap for the Cougars has been named to a watch list that could honor him as one of the best at his positio...

AUGUST 19 • SI.COM

Why Willie Fritz Believes Makhi Hughes will Thrive in Houston's Offense Houston's head coach Willie Fritz has high hopes for this team in the upcoming 2026 season. However, there is one player that Fritz believes...

JULY 10 • SI.COM

This Houston Transfer Could Change Everything for Willie Fritz Houston has had a lot of attention through the transfer portal. With transfers such as Trent Walker, Makhi Hughes and Ashton Porter coming t...

JUNE 18 • SI.COM

Positioned atop RB depth chart Hughes ends spring practice with Houston as its top halfback, per the Houston Chronicle.

Impact Hughes ran for 2,779 yards in two seasons at Tulane, and then transferred to Oregon for the 2025 campaign. However, he was a complete afterthought in Eugene, rushing for just 70 yards on 17 carries. Now, he appears slated to re-claim a top halfback role with the Cougars, and should be poised for another big-time season.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Former Oregon Running Back Looking to Make a Splash With New Team Running back Makhi Hughes was one of the Oregon Ducks biggest transfer portal additions in the offseason heading into the 2025 season. Thing...

MARCH 27 • SI.COM

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MARCH 12 • FOX SPORTS

Let's Debate: Way-Too-Early Look at Top CFB Players for the 2027 NFL Draft

Oregon Ducks Lose Experienced Running Back To Transfer Portal Oregon Ducks running back Makhi Hughes has entered the transfer portal, meaning his career as a Duck will end after just one season. The No....

JANUARY 4 • SI.COM

Commits to Houston Hughes has committed to Houston, Hayes Fawcett of On3 reports.

Impact When it became clear that Hughes would be limited for 2025, Hughes opted to redshirt the year and transfer colleges. The running back's next team requires a replacement for Dean Connors, Houston's primary RB last year. Though not for a Power Conference team, Hughes has excelled, backed up by Tulane's 2023 and 2024 seasons featuring more than his 1,250 rushing yards. So as of Hughes' commitment, the expectation is that he will become a top option again during 2026.

JANUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE

Reentering transfer portal Hughes has elected to enter the transfer portal, Hayes Fawcett of On3.com reports.

Impact Hughes was highly sought after coming out of Tulane after posting back-to-back 1,300-yard rushing seasons with the Green Wave, but he was unable to find his footing in a loaded Oregon backfield. Thus, Hughes will reenter the transfer portal after redshirting in 2025 and should have two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next destination.

JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Oregon running back requests redshirt after limited role | Sporting News Oregon RB Makhi Hughes requests redshirt after 4 games

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Set to redshirt Hughes will redshirt the 2025 season, per Rob Moseley of Oregon's official site.

Impact Hughes reportedly asked to redshirt in 2025, and head coach Dan Lanning has obliged. The tailback has played in four games this season, but didn't travel to Happy Valley last week as the Ducks toppled Penn State in an overtime thriller. The Tulane transfer was expected to be a big part of this Ducks' ground game, but that hasn't materialized and Hughes will now look towards the 2026 season.

OCTOBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

2026 NFL Draft: Ranking the Top Running Backs in Next Year's Class

Dan Lanning impressed with QB Dante Moore as No. 6 Oregon looks ahead to Oklahoma St

Oregon coach Dan Lanning was impressed with Dante Moore’s debut for the Ducks

SEPTEMBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Barely plays in opening game Hughes totaled one rush for two yards and reeled in their only target for four yards during Saturday's 59-13 victory versus Montana State.

Impact After much hype about a breakout season for Hughes, he was almost a complete scratch for the Ducks. He was in uniform and eventually logged a few snaps, but he was otherwise a non-factor. Rumors are swirling about the reason for his absence, but the coaching staff hasn't addressed it. Struggles with the playbook and blocking protections could be the cause, but there's no current evidence to support that theory. It's too early to press the panic button on Hughes, but it's a worrying sign for those who drafted him in seasonal fantasy formats.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Barely plays in opening game Hughes totaled one rush for two yards and reeled in their only target for four yards during Saturday's 59-13 victory versus Montana State.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Top 10 College Football Running Backs in 2025: Jeremiyah Love Headlines List

FOX Sports Research ranked the top 10 running backs heading into the 2025 season.

AUGUST 19, 2025 • FOX SPORTS

Top 10 College Football Running Backs in 2025: Jeremiyah Love Headlines List

What will No. 7 Oregon do to build on its stellar Big Ten debut? 'Double down'

Oregon made a splash in its first year in the Big Ten, going undefeated in the regular season and winning the conference title with a victory over Penn State in the championship ga...

AUGUST 19, 2025 • Associated Press

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