Ohio State Football: Sam Hubbard built for today’s NFL

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 7: Sam Hubbard
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 7: Sam Hubbard /
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One former Ohio State football player was set to play lacrosse in college before catching Urban’s eye playing dodgeball. Now he is moving on to the NFL.

Every time I hear someone say Urban Meyer is a masterful recruiter but not a great coach I chuckle. I imagine his former Ohio State football players who are now playing professionally do too.

There are numerous definitions of what constitutes great coaching, but I believe it is the ability to recognize a player’s talent, providing the resources to maximize that player’s talent and putting that player in the right position to excel.

Few coaches do that better than Meyer and one reason is he recruits multi-sport athletes.

Sam Hubbard fit the mold perfectly.

Hubbard was a 6’5”, 223-pound All-Ohio safety already committed to Notre Dame on a lacrosse scholarship.

Coach Meyer saw him playing dodgeball and thought this kid would make a great defensive lineman. A few months later he’s headed to Ohio State to play football.

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Four seasons later he is a projected second round NFL Draft pick.

Hubbard is exhibit A, among many like him, for why Meyer is an elite coach. He finished his career with 116 tackles, 17 sacks and one interception and made second-team All-Big Ten in 2017.

Hubbard has all the tools to be good NFL player for a long time.  Scouts love his motor, football IQ, frame, ability to find the ball, strong hands and ability to stay balanced.

Critics point to his lack of explosiveness, inconsistency in setting the edge and limited pass rushing moves.

Overall, Hubbard is a top prospect that should go off the board early on day two.

Several teams need defensive ends including Miami, Detroit, Tampa, Carolina and New Orleans.  I think the Lions grab him at No. 51.

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Wherever he lands, Hubbard will thrive and make that team better. Then coach Meyer can flash his famous smirk knowing that he molded another young kid into an elite player.