Jeff Greer

@jeffgreer_cj

Tobijah Hughley caught the new University of Louisville coaching staff's attention eight months ago. He was considered the first-team center on the offensive line and had a chance at starting there this 2014 season.

Not bad for a walk-on, though he won't be one when he suits up for the season opener on Sept. 1 against Miami.

U of L gave Hughley a full athletic scholarship on Wednesday night, ending the 6-foot-3, 289-pound lineman's two-plus years as a walk-on with the Cardinals.

"Congrats to Tobijah Hughley, who just signed his scholarship tonight in my office! You earned it!" a post from Louisville coach Bobby Petrino's Twitter account said.

Hughley, a Lafayette High School grad from Lexington, started fall camp as the backup center to Jake Smith, who started 13 games there last season.

Smith played guard next to Hughley in spring practice, but moved back to center as several linemen returned from injuries for preseason camp.

Hughley said he moved back into the first-team offense after "about five practices." Petrino and his staff have repeatedly said they like having the option of both Hughley and Smith at center.

"Not a lot of teams have two centers that the whole team trusts," offensive coordinator Garrick McGee said. "The quarterback-center exchange is not shaky regardless of which guy is in the game. Each guy understands what we're doing and knows how to lead the offense. We're fortunate."