Hillsborough product Hughlett signs with Cowboys

Posted Apr 29, 2012 by Bill Ward

Updated Apr 30, 2012 at 12:31 AM

Former Hillsborough High and University of Central Florida standout Charlie Hughlett signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys today. Hughlett said his prep coaches, Earl Garcia and Dean Eychner, convinced him to be a long snapper his junior year at Hillsborough and that specialized position has now vaulted him to an NFL job.

After four years playing long snapper at UCF, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Hughlett found himself making all-conference teams and invited to all-star games. After an appearance in UCF’s Pro Day in March, Hughlett got the attention of more scouts and eventually agreed on a deal with the Cowboys.

“I never thought in a million years I’d get a chance to play in the NFL,’’ said Hughlett, who reports to the Cowboys min-camp May 4. ‘‘It wasn’t until the last year or so that people were telling me I’d have a shot. It’s just a dream come true, really.’‘

In his senior season last fall, Hughlett earned All-Conference USA Second Team honors as chosen by the league’s 12 head coaches. Hughlett saw action in all 51 games from 2008-11 as the Knights’ long snapper. He was on the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2008 and was on the second team in 2010, too.

Hughlett said he will be earning a signing bonus and a standard contract as a first-year player.