How Good Can Chuba Hubbard Be?

Saturday could be the last time Justice Hill plays in Boone Pickens Stadium, but Oklahoma State fans won’t have to wait long to see who could be the program’s next great running back.

Hill’s mother told The Oklahoman that Hill doesn’t plan on going through the Senior Day walk Saturday, but his decision on whether he’ll enter the NFL Draft is still to be determined. Whether Hill comes back next season or not, he’ll go down as one of OSU’s all-time greats, as he is already in the school’s top 10 of every major career rushing statistic.

The Cowboys are obviously better with Hill on the team next year, but Hubbard has proven his abilities. Against Oklahoma last week, Hubbard stepped in, received a career-high 22 carries, had 104 rushing yards and ran for three touchdowns, more than any OSU runner has had in a game this season.

Hubbard’s rookie year has been impressive. In what started as a cluttered backfield, Hubbard elevated to the clear second back. Here is Hubbard’s first season of college football compared to the opening portion of Hill’s from 2016.

There are obviously a lot of variables that go into those numbers. Offensive line strength, the opposing defenses and the fact that Hill was a true freshman while Hubbard has had an extra year in the weight room are all things that also need to be considered. This isn’t an article saying one is better than the other, Porter already did that.

Hill was also worked much more his freshman season. Hill met those statistics in only five games, and it has taken Hubbard 10 to get that far. Hubbard’s one game of 20+ carries went well, but it will be interesting to see how he holds up when he is averaging about 20 carries instead of the seven he averages now.

With his lower number of carries, Hubbard likely won’t make OSU’s season yards per carry list, as the list OSU provides has a minimum of 100 attempts criteria, but here is how Hill would fit into it if he were eligible.

Since 2008, only five Cowboys have finished with more than six yards per carry with at least 50 attempts: Chris Carson (6.8) in 2016, Jeremy Smith (7.1) in 2011, and Kendall Hunter (6.5), Keith Toston (6.7) and Beau Johnson (6.2) all did in 2008.

Hubbard has the All-Canada speed and the Glass-molded body to be OSU’s next great running back. Only time (and a capable offensive line) will tell if Hubbard can join the likes of Hill, Barry Sanders, Thurman Thomas, Kendall Hunter, Terry Miller and Joseph Randle as an OSU great, but he’s sure off to a good start.