Hubbard preparing for season despite uncertainty
Cornish Trophy winner says `I just want to run the ball'
STILLWATER — Like many people, the past few months have left Chuba Hubbard with plenty of time to think.
His excitement for Oklahoma State' s football season to begin — whenever that happens—is growing each day he sits in his campus dorm room alone with his thoughts.
“I just want to run the ball,” Hubbard said.
Whether that's in primetime Sept. 3 against Oregon State or in October or even next spring, Hubbard isn't too concerned. He plans to suit up for the Cowboys for likely one final season.
“Right now, I'm planning on playing next year,” Hubbard said. “That's the plan.”
Hubbard was named t he recipient of the Cornish Trophy — t he award given annually to Canada' s top NCAA football player — on Wednesday. It was a fitting finale for his huge breakout 2019 campaign in which he led the country in rushing.
It also brought up questions about his future.
Hubbard announced his plans to return in the middle of January, raising the expectations for a Cowboys squad returning a plethora of talent around their Canadian star. But that was nearly two months before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the sports world.
Things are now different. As of now, college football season remains on schedule. At OSU, campus will begin reopening in phases over the summer.
The season could still be delayed.
“With all this going on, I don't care when it resumes,” Hubbard said. “Once it's back, I'll be ready. I'm looking forward to it.”
But what if college football doesn't come back for next season? What if the season pushes too close to the NFL Draft and NFL workouts?
That could interfere with his professional future. Hubbard's projected as a possible first-round draft pick next year.
For now, he won' t commit to making a prediction on either scenario.
“We'll just keep that conversation for another time ,” Hubbard said. “Keep that for a rainy day. Hopefully, we don't have to talk about this.”
For now, Hubbard wants to focus on the upcoming season.
He's got plenty of alone time in Still water. He works out and finishes his homework early. With the remainder of his day, he relaxes. He sometimes goes for a walk.
But he's always thinking of football.
He came back for multiple reasons. He wanted to get his degree. He wanted to get better on the field. He wanted to mature away from the field.
That remains the goal in the middle of a pandemic.
“The biggest thing for me is I'm just going to stay ready,” Hubbard said. “Whether that's for this season, whether I need to go take the season off, I'm just going to do what's best for me and my family and my team also.
“I think they're planning the season to be on time and stuff. I guess we'll see what happens, but as of right now I'm locked in on getting ready for the season.”