50 Facts About Bub Means

Early Life and High School Career

Bub Means' journey to the NFL began in Lovejoy, Georgia, where his passion for football was ignited.

1. Birthplace and Early Life: Bub Means was born in Lovejoy, Georgia, and grew up playing competitive games with his cousins, which sparked his interest in football.
2. High School Career: At Lovejoy High School, Means caught 11 touchdown passes in his final two seasons and made 16 receptions during his senior campaign.
3. Recruitment: Despite being a 3-star prospect, Means attracted 25 college offers, showcasing his potential early on.

College Journey and Transfers

Means' college career was marked by several transfers and position changes, each contributing to his growth as a player.

4. University of Tennessee: Means initially attended the University of Tennessee but spent his freshman season on the sidelines learning the cornerback position.
5. Transfer to Louisiana Tech: He transferred to Louisiana Tech for his sophomore year but sat out due to COVID-19 and transfer rules.
6. Return to Wide Receiver: In 2021, Means returned to his more familiar position as a wide receiver at Louisiana Tech, making 22 catches for 430 yards and scoring twice.

Pittsburgh and College Success

Means found his stride at Pittsburgh, where he showcased his skills and prepared for the NFL.

7. Transfer to Pittsburgh: Before joining Pittsburgh, Means was familiar with the program’s history of producing NFL wide receivers.
8. College Statistics at Pittsburgh: During his two seasons at Pittsburgh, Means caught 68 passes for 1,122 yards and 8 touchdowns.
9. Notable Performance Against Virginia Tech: Means hauled in a 75-yard pass for a touchdown against Virginia Tech, demonstrating excellent separation and beating double coverage.
10. Adaptability and Preparation: Means had to adapt to four different quarterbacks and two different offensive coordinators during his time at Pitt.

NFL Draft and Physical Attributes

Bub Means' entry into the NFL was marked by his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft and his impressive physical attributes.

11. NFL Draft Selection: The New Orleans Saints selected Means with their 170th overall pick in the 5th round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
12. Physical Attributes: Means stands at 6-1 and weighs 212 pounds, with a 4.43 40-yard dash time, a 39.5-inch vertical jump, and a 10’2″ standing long jump.

Rookie Season and Challenges

Means' rookie season with the Saints has been a mix of challenges and opportunities.

13. Rookie Minicamp and First Impressions: Means made a strong impression at the Saints’ rookie minicamp, citing Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss as inspirations.
14. Veteran Additions: The Saints bolstered their wide receiver room with veterans like Equanimeous St. Brown, Stanley Morgan Jr., and Cedric Wilson Jr.
15. Preseason Injuries and Absence: Means dealt with an undisclosed injury during the preseason, keeping him out of several games.
16. Active/Non-Football Injury List: Means was placed on the active/non-football injury list but was activated shortly after.
17. Rookie Season Challenges: As a rookie, Means faced challenges in terms of playing time and opportunities, being inactive for several games.
18. First Game Action: In his first two games, Means played just 12 total snaps on offense and saw a single target he wasn’t able to catch.
19. Preseason Performance: Despite limited playing time, Means showed promise in his preseason performances, catching five of eight targets for 45 yards and a touchdown.
20. Offensive Holding Penalty: Means drew an offensive holding penalty on the opening kickoff return, highlighting his aggressive playstyle.

Competition and Learning

Means faces stiff competition but remains eager to learn and improve.

21. Competition for Playing Time: With a deep wide receiver corps, Means faces stiff competition for playing time.
22. Learning from Veterans: Means expressed eagerness to learn from veterans like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed.
23. Inspiration from Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss: Means often watches highlight tapes of Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss, aiming to emulate their success.

Special Teams and Versatility

Means' versatility makes him a valuable asset to the Saints.

24. Special Teams Role: Means is open to any assignment, including special teams roles.
25. Interview Insights: In an interview with Saints Wire, Means shared his experiences and insights into his football career.
26. Rivalry with Atlanta Falcons: Growing up, Means admired individual players like Troy Polamalu and the Pittsburgh Steelers, making joining the Saints a dream come true.

Commitment and Physical Comparison

Means is committed to giving his all for the Saints and has the physical attributes to succeed.

27. Commitment to the Saints: Means is committed to giving his all for the Saints and representing the south side of New Orleans with pride.
28. Physical Comparison: At 6-1 and 212 pounds, Means has the size and speed to play inside or outside receiver.

College Statistics Recap and Fantasy Outlook

Means' college statistics and fantasy outlook provide insights into his potential.

29. College Statistics Recap: In his final collegiate season at Pittsburgh, Means caught 41 passes for 721 yards and six touchdowns.
30. Fantasy Outlook: As a rookie, Means has a fantasy outlook that includes rest-of-season projections for receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

Advanced Stats and Alignment Breakdown

Advanced stats and alignment breakdowns highlight Means' performance and potential.

31. Advanced Stats Comparison: Advanced stats provide insights into how Means performs compared to other wide receivers.
32. Alignment Breakdown: Detailed alignment breakdowns show how Means lined up on the field and performed at each spot.

Opponent Analysis and Measurables Comparison

Analyzing opponents and comparing measurables help understand Means' potential.

33. Opponent Pass Defense Analysis: The analysis of the Buccaneers’ pass defense provides context for how Means might perform against different defensive schemes.
34. Measurables Comparison: Measurables such as height, weight, 40-yard dash time, vertical jump, and broad jump are compared with other wide receivers.

Recent Articles and Career Stats

Recent articles and career stats provide updates on Means' performance and potential.

35. College Player Page Review: The review of Means’ college player page provides a comprehensive look at his draft workout metrics.
36. Recent RotoWire Articles: Recent articles featuring Bub Means on RotoWire provide updates on his performance and fantasy relevance.
37. Career Average Yards Per Pass: Derek Carr’s career average of just 6.3 yards per pass against the Chiefs highlights the challenges quarterbacks face in certain matchups.

Injury Recovery and Competition

Means' injury recovery and competition for playing time are crucial for his future.

38. Interior Offensive Line Performance: The decimation of the interior offensive line for Derek Carr’s team emphasizes the impact of line play on quarterback performance.
39. Preseason Performance Against 49ers: Means’ performance in the preseason game against the 49ers was notable despite his limited playing time.
40. Injury Recovery Timeline: Means’ injury recovery timeline is crucial for his immediate future.
41. Competition from A.T. Perry: The competition from A.T. Perry adds to the depth at wide receiver for the Saints.
42. Full Participation in Practice: Means’ full participation in practice sessions is a positive sign for his recovery and readiness to contribute.

Red Zone and Catch Rate Analysis

Analyzing red zone opportunities and catch rates helps understand Means' potential as a receiver.

43. Red Zone Opportunities: The analysis of red zone opportunities provides insights into how often Means is targeted in goal-line situations.
44. Drop Rate Analysis: The drop rate analysis shows how often Means drops passes compared to other wide receivers.
45. Catch Rate Comparison: The catch rate comparison with other wide receivers highlights where Means stands in terms of securing passes.

Air Yards and Team Contribution

Air yards and team contribution metrics highlight Means' role in the Saints' offense.

46. Air Yards Per Game Analysis: The air yards per game analysis measures how far the ball is thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes.
47. Team Air Yards Percentage: The team air yards percentage shows how much of the team’s total air yards Means accounts for.
48. Average Depth of Target (aDOT): The average depth of target (aDOT) measures the average distance downfield he is being targeted at.

Fantasy and Future Outlook

Means' fantasy stats and future outlook provide insights into his potential as a reliable receiver.

49. Fantasy/Red Zone Stats: The fantasy/red zone stats section provides detailed information on red zone opportunities and how often Means converts these opportunities into touchdowns.
50. Future Outlook and Potential: Bub Means has the potential to become a significant contributor to the New Orleans Saints.

Bub Means: A Promising Future

Bub Means is a name to watch in the NFL. This 23-year-old wide receiver from Lovejoy, Georgia, has shown resilience and adaptability throughout his journey. From his high school days to his college career at Tennessee, Louisiana Tech, and Pittsburgh, Means has consistently demonstrated his potential. Selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 5th round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he brings size, speed, and a deep threat capability to the team. Despite early challenges, including injuries and limited playing time, Means remains committed to making an impact. Learning from veterans and drawing inspiration from legends like Calvin Johnson and Randy Moss, he aims to refine his skills and become a key player for the Saints. With continued growth and better quarterback play, Bub Means could soon become a reliable and exciting receiver in the NFL.