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Sam Hubbard, DE , Ohio State: 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report

By Eric Robinson

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 7: Sam Hubbard #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after making a tackle for a loss in the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 7: Sam Hubbard #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after making a tackle for a loss in the second quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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With the 2018 NFL Draft soon approaching, here is a scouting report on another defensive product out of Ohio State, defensive end Sam Hubbard

It is considered one of the more productive schools in all of college football. Another year, another draft that is stocked with talent from Ohio State University.

At defensive end, their most recent product is one Sam Hubbard, who entered his collegiate career as a lacrosse athlete before he blossomed into a big defensive end. A well-built defensive prospect with three seasons under his belt at the collegiate level and while production has not necessarily been great, Hubbard has shown steady development over the course of his career. Here is the scouting breakdown of the intriguing pass rusher.

Measurables 

Height: 6’5 

Weight: 266 lbs 

Games watched: vs. Iowa (2017), vs. Michigan (2017), vs. USC (2017), vs. Michigan (2016) 

Strengths: Hubbard earned second-team All-Big Ten in 2016 after posting 42 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks along with two forced fumbles. Possesses great football IQ along with an infectious motor that is clearly visible on film.

Hubbard displays great upper body strength when engaging with blockers and also shows solid bend around the edge when rushing the passer. He is a very refined tackler and displays very good technique when it comes to wrapping up ball carriers.

Hubbard is very discipline when it comes to opposing fakes being carried such as play action and run counters. Very solid in run defense in setting the edge. Hubbard can be a versatile asset to a defense regardless in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.

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Weaknesses: Athleticism is not necessarily his calling card and will not win a ton of battles based on pure athleticism. His production will not necessarily jump off the page. The ability to convert from speed-to-power is not consistently seen as well on tape.

Whether or not he can tap that particular component remains to be seen. At times, Hubbard looks stiff in the hips which reverts back to his lack of athleticism.

Conclusion: Hubbard is coming from a school that has an excellent history of churning out defensive prospects. He should not be compared along the same lines as former Buckeye Joey Bosa but Hubbard has a skill set to produced several solid seasons at the NFL level.

It will be interesting to see how Hubbard is utilized in a particular scheme as he does not have one elite quality to his game. What he does have the ability to be very solid in several different aspects and can give a team a reliable weapon in the 2nd-early 3rd round range.

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