The opening weekend of Overtime’s OT7 event took place in Dallas last Saturday and Sunday, kicking off a multi-week competition featuring 7-on-7 teams made up of 2026, 2027, and 2028 recruits.
Among the standout players in attendance was four-star safety Tedarius Hughes, who has been committed to Florida State since July. The Miami native didn’t just participate—he made a significant impact, earning recognition as one of the weekend’s top performers.
Cody Bellaire of On3 shared his thoughts on Hughes’ performance:
“South Florida Express dominated the weekend, with every member of the secondary recording at least one interception by the end of Week 1 at OT7. However, the most consistent defensive back was Florida State commit Tedarius Hughes. His incredible length allows him to cover a vast amount of ground, making it nearly impossible for opponents to complete passes against him.”/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72850686/1244676455.0.jpg)
These attributes are exactly why Florida State prioritized Hughes in recruitment. They also explain why one of their biggest rivals, Miami, is making a strong push to flip his commitment. His combination of size, length, and instincts is rare and highly sought after.
Hughes is currently ranked as the No. 27 safety in the nation and the No. 307 overall recruit in On3’s industry rankings. At 6-foot-2 and 170 pounds, he is also listed as the No. 46 prospect in Florida.
Florida State has built a strong reputation for developing elite defensive backs, with recent rookies like Jarrian Jones and Renardo Green making an impact in the NFL. Hughes has the potential to follow in their footsteps—but first, the Seminoles must hold onto his commitment.