Tashard Choice at home in Peach Bowl

ATLANTA – Al Hughes knew a young Tashard Choice was special when he watched the current Texas running back coach as a middle schooler in the local area. Hughes, who was the head coach at Lovejoy in Hampton, Georgia, allowed Choice to practice with the high schoolers as an eighth grader in the spring, and then made him a starter on varsity as a freshman. 

Early on in that season, Hughes remembers calling a “choice route” for his star running back. Choice was the third progression for the quarterback, who eventually checked down to the ninth grader, who then raced 70 yards up the sidelines to score a pivotal touchdown. Hughes went to give the young Choice an atta boy as his young pupil jogged back to the bench with his signature smile.