WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Sam Hubbard, Edge, Ohio St.

Ed "Pi Double i" Henderson

WorldWide Rams

Who is the 6-foot-5 270 pound Sam Hubbard?
Hubbard was a superstar lacrosse player at the powerhouse Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, OH. He played football as well, and was teammates with the reigning 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and New Orleans Saints defensive back Marshon Lattimore. He originally signed to play lacrosse at Norte Dame, but after a convincing conversation with Urban Meyer, head coach of Ohio State, he committed to play linebacker for the Buckeyes. He red-shirted his first year and played with the former 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Joey Bosa of the San Diego Chargers. He had 6 ½ sacks that season finishing with more sacks with Bosa the number three overall pick of he 2016 NFL Draft. The 2016 season, Hubbard was named as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. He posted 46 tackles (including eight for loss), 3 ½ sacks, and two pass break-ups. He would be named second-team All-Big 10 the season by recording 42 tackles (13 ½ tackles for loss), seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. Hubbard was a first-team Academic All-American his sophomore season. In the Fiesta Bowl, Hubbard sacked USC quarterback Sam Darnold 2 ½ times and had him under duress majority of the game.
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Sam Hubbard Highlights

Strengths
Has a very high football I.Q., that allows him to dominate in different fronts and stunts. Very active with his hands and arm to dominates the initial point of attack. Has the ability to be a complete nightmare if matched up in an isolated one-on-one against the opposing tight ends.
Very patient with stunt moves through inside gaps, which can destroy blockers that have gotten out of position. Very relentless and urgent pursuer of the ball, that can beat any lineman with twists, stunts, and counters. Very versatile as he plays as a down lineman or as a standup edge rusher. Perfect fit for a 3-4 defensive scheme with the ability to drop into coverage.

Weakness
Can benefit by generating more explosiveness at the snap of the ball, slight hesitation. Need to add more play strength and convert his speed to power to generate an effective bull rush against the opposing tackles. Need to recognize double teams and react quickly as he can get sandwiched and neutralized by a strong and physical tackle. Does have a lack of high-end closing speed that results in him missing tackles that can create negative plays. Can get overaggressive at times and bite inside allowing the ball carriers with gaps to run through for huge gains.

Is he a fit for the Rams?
It’s not a question whether if he’s a fit, its more like will he be available in the third round? Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips would love to draft Bosa. The versatile defender can play with his hands in the ground or as a standup edge. His physical traits are exactly what Phillips like to see out of a potential edge player at the next level. Scouts are concerned that on film, he doesn’t demonstrate a lot of pure athleticism, nothing that makes you say wow! He is projected to be a day two selection, will have the opportunity to start as a rookie edge and backup his nickname as “The Money Man”.

Draft Prediction
2nd - 3rd Round

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NFL Comparison 
Ryan Kerrigan, Washington Redskins

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