ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Coming to UNM at 27 years old, Daniel Hughes, a native of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, is one of the most unique players on the Lobo football roster. The 6-5 punter has only been playing American football for two and a half years, yet he is finding his way in Albuquerque.
Hughes grew up playing Australian rules football. His dream was to make it to the Australian Football League, and he made it as far as the semi-pro level with the Northern Bullants. Then, in his mid-20s, Hughes made a change.
In 2023, Hughes looked into Prokick Australia. The program is designed to train Australian football and rugby players in American football. The hope is to give players connections in the USA.
Last year, Hughes landed an opportunity with City College of San Francisco. After a year of playing at the JUCO level, Jason Eck and the UNM staff gave him an offer to be a Lobo.
“Honestly, I thought New Mexico was in Mexico and I didn’t even know Albuquerque was a place,” said Hughes. “First couple punts here, I was like, wow, okay, we’re on now. This is exciting.”
Hughes is now one of two punters on the UNM roster. Charles Steinkamp entered training camp as the projected starter, and Hughes said the two have a great relationship.
“I don’t feel like I’m 27, I feel like a 19-year-old running around,” said Hughes. “I still hang out with all the guys. Obviously we’re going to compete with each other… I’d rather have the competition than have it given to me, so can’t wait to compete.”
In addition to his athletic career, Hughes has built a respectable following on social media. Now with a combined 15,000+ followers across Instagram and TikTok, he has begun posting videos of his life as a punter at UNM.
“When I was coming through, there was just no content. There was just like no one videoing behind the scenes, there was no one taking clips. So, I’m doing it obviously for myself and NIL purposes and because I like doing it, but also for the guys back home who are starting up as well. They can be like, see this, what you’ve got to expect, this is what’s coming up.”
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