Hughes takes visit, set for more soon

Four-star linebacker Travis Hughes out of Virginia Beach (Va.) Kempsville made an unofficial visit this past weekend. The 6-foot-1, 228-pounder has plans for more trips in the near future.

"He went to Virginia and sat down with Coach Brown and Coach Reid," Hughes' father Tony said. "They had a powerpoint presentation for Travis where they showed him film from Reid's time with the Miami Dolphins.

"Linebackers coach Vincent Brown sat down with him and he talked about how he was successful in the NFL, and how he can teach him linebacker skills. He also broke down Travis' film and talked about how they'd utilize him in the whole scheme.

"They also emphasized how Travis is a playmaker and how he could bring more kids to the program like Curtis Grant and Demetrious Nicholson. But, they really showed how much sincerity they have in him and how they want him for the program."

Hughes' father believes Virginia has improved their standing due to the trip.

"Most definitely Virginia was a sleeper and they moved up."

Meanwhile, North Carolina continues to stick out at the top of the list.

"We love North Carolina," he said. "Even though there are some discussions going on about what's happening there with the NCAA, we're not looking at it as a negative. We're going to see how the coaches handle this. I want my son to go to a school with no limitations. We'll let the coaches at North Carolina handle it and we'll see how it plays out."

The current set of visits is done for Hughes, but he plans to head back out on the road in August.

"In the second week of August we're going to Clemson on the 14th for two days," he said. "We'd like to get back up to Tech and back to Maryland of course. Virginia and North Carolina may slide in there with visits as well.

"Then, we'll take officials for games during the season. I know Travis wants to go to schools that are far away. LSU will be an official, probably Michigan and maybe Tennessee."

As has been emphasized before, visits this fall will be critical in the Rivals250 prospect's choice.

"It's important for him to see the teams this season, so he can come into a program that has more of a national spotlight on it," he said. "He'll be able to slide into the lineup and come into a team that is coming off a great record in 2010, a team that is moving in the right direction.

"Any university he goes to he wants to get on the field and make it happen. He's also looking at the educational experience, social life and a school that can take him to the next level. Who is going to take him there better? That's what we have to look at."

Hughes decision won't be delayed too long as according to his father he is still on pace to decide midseason.