Ohio State fourth-year junior defensive end Sam Hubbard announced on Saturday that he would be forgoing his final season of eligibility with the Buckeyes and entering the 2018 NFL Draft.
Hubbard tweeted out his decision.
— Samwise (@Sam_Hubbard_) December 30, 2017
Hubbard capped his Buckeye career with a career-high 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss against USC in Friday night’s Cotton Bowl. He also had 2.5 sacks against Michigan this season.
Hubbard has been projected by some as a first-round draft pick.
For his career, Hubbard finished with 29.5 tackles for loss and 17 sacks.
Hubbard famously committed to Ohio State after being committed to Notre Dame as a lacrosse commit. Urban Meyer visited Hubbard’s Cincinnati Moeller high school and was impressed by Hubbard’s dodgeball skills.
As a true freshman in 2014, Hubbard spent time at both tight end and defensive end before ultimately redshirting. Meyer struggled with that decision, saying at the time that they would never get a fifth year out of a guy as talented as Sam Hubbard.
Hubbard spent the next three seasons proving his head coach 100% correct.
Dude has been a beast on the field and everything you could ever ask for off of it. Best of skill to you at the next level, Sam.
Can’t blame Hubbard at all for opting out of his last year of eligibility. He’s graduated, has proved what he can do on the field, and now it’s time to collect some rewards for his years of hard work. Underappreciated, but a stellar player and a solid citizen for the Buckeyes. His last game, in the Cotton Bowl against USC, was a showcase for what he can do.
No surprise at all since his decision to do the senior day event. Good luck to you,
Mr. Hubbard. Hope you do well in the NFL. I won’t be watching it because the NFL is garbage but I understand it pays well.
Ditto!
Best of luck for a long and great career at the next level. It was a privilege watching you shine.
Good luck to you, Sam. Thanks for the memories.