Chuba Hubbard: The Unlikely Story of the NFL’s Next Best Running Back
From 12-Man football in Canada to Heisman candidate, Chuba Hubbard’s one-man ground demolition might be the next to burst down the NFL door.
Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard has put up 1,604 yards and 18 touchdowns in just nine games. Hubbard has been a true revelation in 2019. The 3-star recruit out of a small town in Canada was doubted by many, but he’s ignored all of that and worked relentlessly to make himself the Heisman candidate we see today. Hubbard’s high school coach, Tanner Stephens, said he thinks this is just the beginning.
“He’s only been down in the states for three years and he’s going against guys that have trained like this their whole lives,” Stephens said. “I think the sky is the limit for him and I think he’s just kind of scratching the surface of what he’s going to be.”
The Come Up
Hubbard wasn’t supposed to be this good. He was never expected to make it to the NFL, let alone be an NCAA starter. At Bev Facey Community High School, people didn’t think Hubbard had what it took to make it big.
“When he was in high school, I think he was tired of hearing he was just a speed guy and a speed back and he was just good because he was fast,” Stephens said.
Hubbard has taken in the criticism as fuel to make himself great. He always plays with a chip on his shoulder. He goes above and beyond, especially when people question him.
“He’s a kid if you told him, ‘Hey, we don’t think you’re very good at this or you’re not very good at this,’ then he’s going to do everything in his power to be the best at that,” Stephens said.
Hubbard’s recruiting attention began in 11th grade, but NFL teams wanted to see more than the speed, they wanted him to develop the other aspects of his game. So he took it upon himself to work and fix the holes in his game. Now Hubbard has transformed himself into one of the most tantalizing players in the nation.
The Scouting Report
While there’s more to Hubbard’s game than speed, it’s easily his best asset.
“Chuba is just a different breed of athlete,” Stephens said.
It’s true. It’s obvious to anyone that watches an OSU game. You’re almost guaranteed to see a long Hubbard touchdown or two. The Cowboys’ star RB has rushed for 100-plus yards in every game this year but one. And he’s had at least one touchdown in each contest.
Even more impressive? Hubbard has at least 221 yards in three games this season. But it’s not just the eye-popping numbers that make him special.
He’s transformed himself into a complete back. As a runner, his big-play ability is evident. Hubbard is capable of taking it to the house every time he touches the ball. If he gets even a sliver of daylight, there’s almost no one that can run this guy down.
But he’s more than that. NFL teams don’t necessarily need that game-breaking speed from running backs. They’ll gladly take it, but it’s more about an RB’s ability to navigate through the hole and to continue chewing up yards consistently. That’s where Hubbard has really improved.
He has developed Le’Veon Bell-esque patience. He bounces behind his offensive line, waits for the hole to develop, then bursts through. His snap quick-acceleration allows him to develop a head of steam quickly.
And when Hubbard reaches the second level, he’s a difficult man to stop. At 6-foot-1, 207 pounds Hubbard plays a lot bigger than his size insists. His lower body strength allows him to truck through defenders with ease while operating with tremendous balance.
“I mean his legs are just literally solid bricks,” Stephens said. “They’re just so strong.”
He’s a legitimate three-down back who’s worked hard to improve as both as a receiver and a pass blocker. Stephens said the pass blocking was an aspect of Hubbard’s game that he wanted to work on.
Hubbard’s elite combination of speed, power and balance come together to create the electric player we see on the field. Teams need backs who can churn out yards between the tackles. Hubbard provides that plus enticing home run hitting ability. It’s the perfect package.
The Mentality
What separates Hubbard from other talented guys is how much he cares — as a player, as a teammate and as a person. Stephens said Hubbard’s work ethic is “on another planet.”
“He was here, from a small town in Canada, it really set him apart because he was just relentless in wanting to be the best,” Stephens said. “You could tell, just from Day One when he was out there, he wanted to be the best and he made sure to work his butt off to be the best.”
He won’t take no for an answer. He’ll work hard to shore up whatever weaknesses he has while continuing to refine his strengths. His attitude makes him unique.
“I think what really sets him apart is his drive,” Stephens said. “He’s the most driven athlete I’ve ever seen and usually, that means when the game gets a little tough, he gets even better. For most guys, if somebody tries to get in their head it usually rattles them a little bit. If an opponent tries to get in his head, he dials it up even more so. It makes him a pretty scary athlete.”
Hubbard is more than just a premier talent, he’s a down to earth person who puts others above himself. He has the humble nature of Kawhi Leonard and the competitive spirit of Drew Brees.
“He was a guy that, even if he wasn’t in the game because we were up and he had like five touchdowns on the game so he was pulled, he was the biggest cheerleader on the sideline for his teammates,” Stephens said. “Which is a special thing to see from a superstar athlete like himself.”
Final Thoughts
The 20-year-old back has the physical tools, talent and work ethic to build himself into a generational talent in the NFL. Hubbard is a legend where he comes from. Kids want to be “the next Chuba.” But the story isn’t over yet, it’s only beginning. Hubbard is going to create a legacy.
“My line always is that: when you’re good, you might talk about it, but when you’re great other people talk about it,” Stephens said. “And he falls into that category of being great.”
!!!
All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
