Jeff Hughley returns to the Sharks

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Sharks announced Monday that wide receiver/kick returner Jeff Hughley has been activated from the Arena Football League's "Other League Exempt" list.

The 28-year-old Hughley (5'8", 175) was originally placed on Other League Exempt on Thursday, May 2, after receiving an invitation to participate in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookie mini-camp that was held this past weekend.

Hughley is in the midst of a stellar season with the Sharks, ranking second on the team with 47 receptions for a team-high total of 516 receiving yards. Hughley caught a pair of touchdowns in each of the Sharks' first four games and is third on the team with nine touchdown receptions overall. He caught a season-high 13 passes for 146 yards and two scores in the Sharks' season-opening win against the Tampa Bay Storm, and scored four total touchdowns in Week 3 against Cleveland.

A threat on special teams as well, Hughley has totaled 557 yards on 28 kick returns this season. He has also logged two missed field goal returns for a total of 79 yards, notching the first missed field goal return touchdown in Jacksonville franchise history in the team's Week 4 win over the New Orleans VooDoo. Hughley was selected as the J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 4, and that missed field goal return was named the AFL Highlight of the Week as well. Hughley currently ranks second in the league in all-purpose yards (1,155), and is also second among AFL players with an average of 192.5 all-purpose yards per contest.

Hughley is in his fourth season in the Arena Football League, returning to Jacksonville after spending 2012 with the Philadelphia Soul. He was originally assigned to the Jacksonville roster on a three-year contract in November of 2012. The reigning Ironman of the Year, Hughley was a major part of the Sharks' run to the ArenaBowl XXIV title in 2011, earning a spot on the All-Ironman team that year as well.

Before joining the Sharks, Hughley made his AFL debut with the Tulsa Talons in 2010, catching 113 passes for 1,258 yards and 28 touchdowns. He also notched four rushing touchdowns and returned a pair of kickoffs for scores. Hughley also spent time with the Talons when the team was a member of af2, earning af2 Ironman of the Year honors in 2009. Hughley played collegiate football at Averett University.

Following the day's transaction, the Jacksonville roster stands at the League maximum of 24 active players.