50 Facts About Chuba Hubbard

Early Life and High School Career

Chuba Hubbard's journey from a small town in Alberta to the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. His early life and high school career laid the foundation for his future success.

1. Full Name: Chuba Robert-Shamar Hubbard
2. Birthdate: June 11, 1999
3. Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
4. Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters)
5. Weight: 210 pounds (95 kilograms)
6. High School: Bev Facey Community High School in Sherwood Park, Alberta
7. Early Interest in Football: Unlike many Canadian kids who gravitate towards hockey, Hubbard had a strong interest in football from a young age.
8. Track Star Reputation: Before focusing on football, he was a renowned track star, considered one of the best young sprinters in Canada.
9. High School Achievements: Over three years at Bev Facey, he rushed for 6,880 yards on 458 attempts with 82 touchdowns.
10. Canadian Football Background: Played Canadian football, which features larger fields and 12 players per team.
11. Average Yards Per Carry: In high school, he averaged more than 15 yards per carry, an impressive feat in Canadian football.

College Career

Hubbard's college career at Oklahoma State University showcased his talent and determination, earning him numerous accolades.

12. College: Oklahoma State University (2017-2020)
13. Redshirting at Oklahoma State: Redshirted his first year in 2017, allowing him to develop his skills.
14. College Debut: Made his debut in 2018, playing in 13 games and rushing for 740 yards on 124 carries with seven touchdowns.
15. Sophomore Season (2019): Had a stellar sophomore season, rushing for 2,094 yards on 328 carries and scoring 21 touchdowns.
16. Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year: Earned this award in 2019 for his outstanding performance.
17. Jon Cornish Trophy: Won this trophy as the top Canadian in NCAA football for the 2019 season.
18. First Team All-Big 12: Named to the First Team All-Big 12 in 2019.
19. OSU Bob Fenimore Award: Received this award (Team MVP) for his performance in 2019.
20. Junior Season (2020): Returned for his redshirt junior year despite NFL Draft speculation, though his season was injury-plagued.

Professional Career

Chuba Hubbard's transition to the NFL marked the beginning of a new chapter in his football journey.

21. NFL Draft: Selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round (126th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
22. CFL Draft: Also selected by the Calgary Stampeders in the fifth round (43rd overall) of the 2021 CFL Draft.
23. Contract with Panthers: Signed a four-year contract worth $4.2 million with the Panthers on May 6, 2021.
24. NFL Debut: Made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2021 season against the New York Jets.
25. Early Season Performance: In Week 5 against the Philadelphia Eagles, had 24 carries for 101 rushing yards in a 21–18 loss.
26. Rushing Yards in 2021: Finished the 2021 season with 172 carries for 612 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
27. Receiving Yards in 2021: Also had 25 receptions for 174 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown in 17 games and ten starts.

Career Highlights

Hubbard's career highlights demonstrate his ability to rise to the occasion and perform under pressure.

28. Starting Role: Assumed the starting position in Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins when Miles Sanders was ruled out.
29. Best Performance: Carried the ball nineteen times for 88 yards and a touchdown, the best performance by a Panthers running back that season.
30. Consistency Issues: Despite Sanders' return, continued in the starting role, showing adaptability.
31. Scrimmage Yards Milestone: In the Panthers' Week 17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, reached 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time in his NFL career.
32. 2023 Season: Had his most productive season yet, finishing with over 900 rushing yards, 233 receiving yards, and five touchdowns.

Fantasy Football Performance

Hubbard's performance in fantasy football has made him a valuable asset for many fantasy teams.

33. Fantasy Starter: Ranked as RB11 over the last seven weeks of the 2023 season, thanks to a league-leading 134 carries during that time.
34. Competition for Touches: The Panthers added Jonathan Brooks in the draft, potentially affecting Hubbard’s long-term fantasy prospects.
35. Coach Impact: Panthers head coach Dave Canales has a history of giving running backs ample opportunities, which could benefit Hubbard.

Personal Life and Community Involvement

Beyond football, Hubbard is committed to giving back to his community and helping others.

36. Family Background: His biological father left when he was young, and his mother, Candace, had to navigate life as a single mother.
37. Health Issues: Candace faced health issues, adding to the family's struggles.
38. Community Impact: Committed to giving back to his community, Hubbard has worked through necessary certifications to help others.

Career Statistics

Hubbard's impressive statistics highlight his talent and hard work.

39. Rushing Yards in 2019: Averaged nearly 186 yards per game in 2019, leading all NCAA Division I rushers with 2,094 rushing yards.
40. Touchdowns in 2019: Scored 20 touchdowns that season, making him one of the top performers in the nation.
41. Big Play Rushes: Led the nation in big play rushes, including 15 rushes over 30 yards and one rush over 90 yards.

Awards and Recognition

Hubbard's talent has earned him numerous awards and recognition throughout his career.

42. Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year: Awarded in 2019.
43. Jon Cornish Trophy: Won as the top Canadian in NCAA football for the 2019 season.
44. OSU Bob Fenimore Award: Received for his outstanding performance in 2019.

Current Status

Hubbard continues to prove himself as a valuable player for the Carolina Panthers.

45. Injury Recovery: Jonathan Brooks, drafted by the Panthers, is still recovering from an ACL injury.
46. Future Prospects: Despite competition from Brooks, Hubbard has proven capable of handling a significant workload.

Fantasy Football Prospects

Hubbard's potential in fantasy football makes him an intriguing pick for many fantasy teams.

47. ADP: Hubbard’s ADP is RB47, placing him among running backs who are either handcuffs or part of clear committees.
48. Path to Fantasy Starter: There is a path for Hubbard to be a Week 1 fantasy starter without any new injuries.

Conclusion

49. Hard Runner: Known for being a hard runner who can make a start in a pinch.
50. Capable Back: Proven capable of handling anything thrown his way, whether rushing or receiving.

Hubbard's Remarkable Journey

Chuba Hubbard's journey from Edmonton, Alberta to the NFL showcases his grit and determination. From his early days as a track star to becoming a standout running back at Oklahoma State University, Hubbard's path has been nothing short of inspiring. His impressive college stats, including over 2,000 rushing yards in 2019, set the stage for his professional career with the Carolina Panthers.

Despite facing challenges like injuries and competition, Hubbard has proven his worth on the field. His ability to step up when needed, as seen in his 2023 season, highlights his resilience. Off the field, his commitment to giving back to his community adds another layer to his legacy.

Hubbard's story is a testament to hard work, perseverance, and the impact one can have both on and off the field. His journey continues to inspire many.