Hughes was a special teams standout, leading the Big Eight Conference in kickoff returns in each of his last three years and his team in each of his four seasons. He finished as the school's record-holder in kickoff returns and second all-time in career punt returns. He finished his college career with 31 receptions for 451 yards, 33 carries for 81 yards, 5 receiving touchdowns, a 12.3-yard average on 68 punt returns, a 23.4-yard average and a touchdown on 65 kickoff returns. In 2000, he was named to the Nebraska Cornhuskers All-Century team.