Robert Hughes Class: Sophomore Hometown: Chicago, IL High School: Hubbard Height / Weight: 5-11 / 240 Position: Halfback Birthdate: 06/21/1989

CAREER: Powerful running back who has demonstrated nifty agility for a player his size ... blossomed towards the end of his rookie season as he gained 246 combined yards on 35 carries (7.0 avg.) with two touchdowns in the final two games ... became the first Notre Dame freshman running back to eclipse 100 rushing yards in consecutive weeks since Allen Pinkett in 1982 ... totaled 294 yards rushing on 53 carries with four TDs in rookie campaign ... add three receptions for 17 yards ... enters spring practice in heated competition at the running back position with James Aldridge and classmate Armando Allen Jr.

2007 (FRESHMAN): Recorded the best average yards per rush on the team (5.5), the second-most rushing touchdowns (four) and the third-highest rushing yards total (294) ... used primarily in short-yardage situations early in the season, then exploded onto the scene in the final two games when used as the primary running back ... rushed for 246 yards on 35 carries with two TDs in the final two contests ... caught three passes for 17 yards including a long reception of 13 yards ... played in 11 games during freshman season in the Irish backfield (did not play at UCLA) ... against Michigan State carried the ball six times for 33 yards and a TD ... carried the ball once vs. Navy for a three-yard TD ... had a break-out game against Duke carrying the ball 17 times for a game-high 110 yards and a TD ... included a 33-yard scamper and also caught a pass for 13 yards vs. Duke ... continued his dominance the next week at Stanford running for career-high 136 yards on 18 carries ... the 136 rushing yards were the most by a Notre Dame player all year and the best rushing total by an Irish running back since Darius Walker gained 162 yards vs. Army in `06 ... achieved Notre Dame's longest play from scrimmage for the 2007 season when he broke loose for a 45-yard run in the first quarter ... scored the game-winning TD with under six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter ... logged 37:39 with 35 special teams appearances.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Selected for 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio ... named first-team all-state by the Chicago Tribune after rushing for 1,780 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior ... helped lead Hubbard to an 8-3 season and reached the second round of the state playoffs in his senior season ... named to the Best of the Midwest team by the Detroit Free Press as the 14th-best prospect and No. 4 running back on the list ... listed as one of 12 running backs, along with teammate Armando Allen, on National 100 list by Fort Worth Star-Telegram ... named one of the top 50 high school seniors by Street & Smith's and one of six running backs named to its All-America Team ... rated the ninth-best running back in the nation by Scout.com and the second-best prospect in Illinois by the recruiting service ... Rivals.com rates him the third-best player in Illinois, 14th-best running back prospect in the country and 77th-best player in the nation ... rated the 13th-best running back in the nation by Tom Lemming ... one of 11 Notre Dame signees chosen to the ESPN 150 list ... rated 96th-best overall prospect nationally - and 15th among running backs, 17th-best player in the Midwest - on 2006 preseason basis by The Sporting News SchoolSports ... one of top 33 running backs nationally on 2006 preseason basis by CBS Sportsline.com College Football Preview ... ran for 1,920 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior, adding 71 tackles and five sacks at nose tackle while helping Hubbard reach the Class 6A state semifinals ... rushed for 1,000 yards as a freshman and 1,034 yards as a sophomore to earn all-area honors ... attended the same high school as Indianapolis Colts defensive back Kelvin Hayden ... played for coach Elton Harris at Hubbard ... full name is Robert T. Hughes ... born June 21, 1989 ... enrolled in First Year of Studies.