Marla Ridenour: Physical transformation helps Ohio State’s Hubbard make big impact opposite Bosa

COLUMBUS, Ohio Going into this season at Ohio State, Sam Hubbard’s evolution as an athlete had been so unconventional it’s a wonder he wasn’t having an identity crisis.

Early in his high school career at Cincinnati Moeller, he thought he’d be playing lacrosse at Notre Dame.

When OSU coach Urban Meyer and cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs came to Moeller to visit in February, 2013, it was months before Hubbard would be selected a Division I all-state safety by the Associated Press.

As freshman at OSU in 2014, Hubbard was first tried at linebacker, then at tight end, before being moved back to linebacker.

Even as Meyer lamented redshirting Hubbard, Meyer and his assistants thought Hubbard’s best position was defensive end. But he was too small, listed as 6-foot-5 and 244 pounds on the roster for the College Football Playoff championship game against Oregon.

Even this season when Hubbard bulked up to 265 pounds, putting on more than 35 pounds since his arrival at OSU, he started the opener at Virginia Tech because All-America defensive end Joey Bosa was suspended.

But since Bosa returned, Hubbard has proved to be a valuable part of the Buckeyes’ defensive line. Going into Saturday’s home game against Western Michigan, Hubbard is tied for eighth in the Big Ten in sacks with 21/2. He also has eight tackles and three tackles for losses.

In last weekend’s 20-13 victory over Northern Illinois in Ohio Stadium, Hubbard lined up opposite Bosa on occasion and shared a drive-ending sack with him with three minutes to go. Hubbard finished the afternoon with 11/2 sacks, 11/2 tackles for losses and two tackles.

“Sam Hubbard played a heckuva game,” OSU sophomore linebacker Darron Lee said.

Hubbard knows he’s benefited from the attention on Bosa, who could be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL draft.

“They had the back following him, they had the tight end following him, he was getting doubled every play,” Hubbard said Saturday. “Opening up a lot of opportunity for me. He was still making plays, that’s just what a great player he is.”

For co-defensive coordinator Chris Ash, that doesn’t obscure how Hubbard has changed his body, with the help of Mickey Marotti, assistant athletic director for sports performance.

“It’s hard to explain his development because it’s been off the charts, to be honest with you,” Ash said of Hubbard on Monday. “It speaks volumes about Sam Hubbard’s commitment. We laid down a challenge with him. We thought his best position would be defensive end. He wasn’t big enough, strong enough to do the job a year ago, but he is now.

“It’s kind of unprecedented to see a guy go from where he was to where he is in such a short amount of time. But those are the things that Coach Mick does. He puts together a great plan. Sam’s followed that plan, and it’s worked out well.”

After just three games at his new position, Hubbard’s ceiling is “very high,” Ash said.

“You see him making huge improvements every day,” Ash said. “From week one against Virginia Tech to where he was last Saturday, completely different player.

“Sam’s a great kid. He’s very committed to being the best he can be, and knows he needs to get stronger. He’s working on it all the time.”

Some fans might not have expected to see this much of Hubbard, especially with sophomore defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis also added to the rotation. But Hubbard said after the opener, assistant head coach/defensive line coach Larry Johnson told his position players he wanted to limit Bosa’s reps so he could play full speed every play.

Because of that, Hubbard isn’t surprised by his extensive action. But defensive coordinator Luke Fickell admitted he has been.

When asked about Bosa and Hubbard playing together, Fickell said Saturday, “That’s Coach J. There’s a lot of things that you can’t micromanage. The guy does an unbelievable job. You bite your lip, ‘Who’s out there this time?’ It works.”

According to ElevenWarriors.com, Meyer said on his radio show a year ago that he doesn’t expect Hubbard to be with the Buckeyes for five years.

“He’ll be playing for money,” Meyer said.

(c)2015 Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)

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