Not a single scout mentioned anything negative about Hughes' attitude or character. In contrast, every scout in the league is familiar with facets of Kindle's background that they deem troubling to various degrees.
In 2007, Kindle was arrested for drunken driving and suspended three games. His license was suspended, he attended mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and he performed 60 hours of community service.
Last June, Kindle suffered a concussion when the car he was driving in Austin, Texas, slammed into an apartment building. He didn't report the incident to police until the next morning.
At the combine, Kindle said the accident occurred because he was texting. Also at the combine, he told the Journal Sentinel that he no longer used alcohol.
Several sources said Kindle also suffers from narcolepsy, a disorder in which he would fall asleep in meetings and Longhorn coaches wondered what was wrong with him. He takes medication that has controlled the narcolepsy and an attention-deficit issue.
"At the end of the day, unless they're extremely talented, guys like that tend to bust," another AFC personnel man said. "Because they don't have inside what it takes to be successful. Not the greatest kid in the world."
Mark Dominik, the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, represented a typical reaction when it came to Hughes.
"Love him," said Dominik. "Good player. He's right on the bubble of the first round."