HEADLINES

Chuba Hubbard

NFL Contract Notes: Henry, Barkley, Smith, Reddick, Hubbard

December 1st, 2024 at 7:25pm CST by Ely Allen

Ravens running back Derrick Henry has been enjoying a phenomenal first season in Baltimore. The team signed him to a two-year, $16MM deal that saw him receive $9MM in cash in the first year. Henry’s deal also came with five $500K incentives.

His incentives are maxed out at $2MM, so he can only cash in on four of those five incentives, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. So far this year, Henry has hit on three incentives: 1,200 rushing yards, 13 total touchdowns, and 15 total touchdowns.

The remaining two incentives would require him to reach 1,500 rushing yards or would require the team to win the Super Bowl. While the Ravens still have a ways to go in order to get to the big game, Henry only needs 93 yards in the team’s final four games in order to max out his incentives.

Here are a few other contract notes from around the NFL:

  • Eagles running back Saquon Barkley also is tracking down some incentives. Smartly, none of Barkley’s incentives revolve around rushing touchdowns, thanks to the infamous “tush push,” per Garafolo and Ian Rapoport. Barkley will earn $250K if he reaches 1,500 scrimmage yards (he’s 36 yards away from that total after today’s game in Baltimore) and an additional $250K if he reaches 2,000. Additionally, each incentive acts as an escalator for next year’s base salary, adding a potential $1MM to his total contract value. He also would receive $250K for a second-team All-Pro or Pro Bowl selection and $500K for a first-team All-Pro selection. That incentive would act as an escalator for next year, as well. Lastly, Barkley would earn $250K each for victories in the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl.
  • Jets left tackle Tyron Smith may have just been placed on injured reserve, but his health up to that point had been paying dividends. His recent injury history required him to settle for a heavily incentivized contract with only $6.5MM in base salary and $12MM in playing time incentives. By playing every snap through nine games, Smith essentially qualified for the 50% of offensive snaps threshold that earns him $2.75MM. Every additional game after that would essentially net him an additional $1MM, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini, with the final five games being worth $1.25MM per week. Unfortunately, he only fit one game in before moving to IR. He could make his way back to earn a couple more incentives, but New York may prefer to get an extended look at their tackle of the future, Olu Fashanu, instead.
  • Also in New York, pass rusher Haason Reddick still has an opportunity to earn some playing time incentives after ending his holdout, per Cimini. Through the four games (before today) Reddick has appeared in, he has played 179 of 275 defensive snaps, good for about 43 percent. If he can keep that percentage over 40, he’ll earn a $791,628 incentive bonus, but his last two games have seen him only play 37 percent of the team’s snaps, so that bonus may be in danger. Reddick could also earn a $500K bonus if he reaches eight sacks, but with only 0.5 sacks through five games with only five more remaining, that incentive feels out of reach.
  • Lastly, we saw the Panthers reward running back Chuba Hubbard with a recent four-year, $33.2MM extension. Per our friends at OvertheCap.com, the deal comes with a signing bonus of $7.71MM and only sees the first year’s base salary guaranteed.

Panthers Extend RB Chuba Hubbard

November 7th, 2024 at 10:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ahead of the trade deadline, it was clear the Panthers would not be willing to deal away Chuba Hubbard. The fourth-year running back was on track to reach free agency this offseason, but that is no longer the case.

Hubbard and the Panthers have agreed to a four-year extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The deal (which is now official) has a base value of $33.2MM, but it can increase by $5MM through incentives. In terms of guaranteed compensation, Hubbard will receive $15MM fully locked in.

The Athletic’s Joe Person predicted on Thursday that Hubbard would translate his 2024 campaign, on track to be the best of his career, into a new contract before the end of the year (subscription required). That has proven to be accurate, and the 25-year-old Canadian will now be on the books through 2028. Hubbard has handled RB1 duties for much of the past two seasons despite the presence of Miles Sanders, and his 14.8 carries per game are slightly higher than last year’s workload. He is averaging 5.0 yards per attempt in 2024, the best mark of his career.

After Christian McCaffrey was traded away midway through the 2022 campaign, the door opened for other Panthers to take on a larger workload in the backfield. Hubbard has been the primary beneficiary of that move, and the Oklahoma State product topped 1,100 scrimmage yards while rushing for five touchdowns last year. Hubbard has already matched the latter figure through nine games this season, and he is comfortably on pace reach 1,000 yards on the ground for the first time in 2024.

Sanders landed a four-year, $25.4MM deal on the open market last offseason, leading to high expectations with Carolina. He has not managed to live up to them so far, though, and Hubbard’s success has relegated the former Eagle to a minor role on offense. That could especially be true moving forward with second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks now healthy. None of Sanders’ base salaries for 2025 or ’26 are guaranteed, making him a logical cut candidate for the upcoming offseason.

With a base value of $8.3MM per season, Hubbard’s pact places him ninth amongst running backs in terms of annual average value. The former fourth-rounder will be expected to continue delivering in the backfield now and in the future as the Panthers sort out their quarterback situation. Bryce Young‘s tenure with the franchise beyond 2024 remains uncertain, but stability in the backfield will be welcomed.

It will be interesting to see how the Hubbard-Brooks tandem takes shape now that both are in the picture. Brooks will be attached to his rookie contract through 2027, so for several years the Panthers’ situation at the running back spot appears to be settled.

Some Panthers Players Unavailable In Trade Market

November 3rd, 2024 at 10:22pm CST by Ely Allen

The Panthers are tied with six other teams at the bottom of the NFL with a 2-7 record, solidifying them as sellers at this year’s fast-approaching trade deadline. While it seems like no pieces would be off-limits in what has been a multi-year rebuild, the media has been reporting otherwise.

Mosty notably, we continue to hear that second-year quarterback Bryce Young is not available in the trade market. Young was benched in Week 3 of the season, leading to several rumors that the former No. 1 overall pick could be available for a potential trade. Though Carolina denied such rumors, plenty of teams called the Panthers inquiring about obtaining the 23-year-old. Diana Russini of The Athletic’s latest report confirms the Panthers’ position that they are “not considering moving the quarterback.”

Young was forced back into the starting lineup last week as Andy Dalton dealt with a thumb injury, and though Carolina lost the contest, the coaching staff was reportedly “encouraged by his improvements and overall commitment to the team.” Young started today, as well, and though his numbers didn’t jump off the stat sheet, he delivered a win to keep the team out of the divisional basement. Russini asserts that, even if the Panthers ultimately do trade Young, they’d get better value for him in the offseason.

While Russini doesn’t believe Young is available in a trade, she does note running back Miles Sanders and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney as names to look for. This notion was challenged by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who claimed that Clowney was “more likely than not” staying in Carolina. Clowney had a resurgent 9.5-sack 2023 season with the Ravens but has only been able to amass one sack so far this year in Carolina. He under contract for next year, as well, which makes him more attractive as a trade option who would stick around for more than just the next nine weeks, but Rapoport is under the impression that he remains with the Panthers.

In addition to Young and Clowney, Peter Schrager of FOX Sports reported this morning that he’s been hearing that cornerback Jaycee Horn and running back Chuba Hubbard are also not likely to be moved. Horn has had trouble staying on the field in his first three years, but he’s been healthy in 2024, and the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option for next year, as well. Hubbard is playing in a contract year after a breakout season, so it’d make sense to move him, but like Young, Clowney, and Horn, it appears that he’ll be finishing out the year in Carolina.

Teams Inquiring On Panthers’ Jaycee Horn, Chuba Hubbard; Carolina Unlikely To Trade Bryce Young

October 29th, 2024 at 4:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers dealt Diontae Johnson to the Ravens earlier Tuesday, concluding the receiver’s short stay in Charlotte. Carolina had been expected to trade Johnson and should be considered likely to make more moves after a 1-7 start.

Teams are calling on two of the Panthers’ top players. Jaycee Horn and Chuba Hubbard are generating interest, according to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz. Hubbard has been mentioned as a player the Panthers are unlikely to trade, and Schultz adds the team is not planning to move the contract-year running back or Horn. The latter has come up at past trade deadlines but is signed through 2025.

While the Panthers are being classified as a team not set to conduct a fire sale, they are in danger of finishing with the NFL’s worst record for a second straight season. Only Carolina and Tennessee reside as one-win teams exiting Week 8. Unlike last season, however, the Panthers have the carrot of holding their first-round pick in 2025 — as opposed to the Bears doing so this year. The opportunity to either add the draft’s best player or its best quarterback — depending on what happens with Bryce Young — would appeal to a Panthers team with no playoff aspirations.

Dealing away more pieces would certainly strengthen Carolina’s chance of securing the No. 1 overall pick, though the team has not needed any such boost thus far. The Panthers have lost five straight, with each of their seven losses coming by double digits. More pieces are all but certain to go, but it does look like Carolina will either stop short of dealing Horn and Hubbard or set a high price on each.

Horn’s name came up in the wake of the October 2022 Matt Rhule firing, but the then-Scott Fitterer-run team did not appear to enter serious talks. The No. 8 overall pick in 2021 has also lost some value due to the significant foot and hamstring injuries. The latter issue kept Horn out of trade talks in 2023. Current GM Dan Morgan worked under Fitterer for much of the GM’s time in Charlotte but was not on staff when the cornerback was selected; Morgan returned to the Panthers just after the 2021 draft.

The Panthers picked up Horn’s fifth-year option, which calls for a $12.47MM fully guaranteed salary in 2025. That number checked in roughly $7MM south of 2021’s No. 9 overall pick, Patrick Surtain. The latter has become one of the NFL’s best defensive players; before extending him this offseason, the Broncos asked for two first-rounders to begin a trade conversation. Although Horn has shown flashes, it would certainly not take that much to pry him from Carolina. Pro Football Focus, however, ranks Horn 27th among corners this season. While the Panthers have dealt Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Brian Burns and now Johnson, they look to view Horn as a building-block player alongside Derrick Brown on defense.

Hubbard may not qualify as such on offense, but it should not be considered a certainty the former Rhule-era fourth-rounder leaves in free agency. The team has seen Hubbard take over as its starting back. While Miles Sanders is a trade chip, Hubbard would likely be prioritized to help second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks ease into action. Brooks is coming off an ACL tear sustained in November 2023. While he may well be the Panthers’ starter in 2025, the Texas product is unlikely to see a big workload once he comes off the reserve/PUP list this season.

As for Young’s status, the Panthers remain unlikely to move him before the Nov. 5 deadline, The Athletic’s Joe Person notes (subscription required). The optics of giving up Young for a haul potentially headlined by Day 3 picks would bring more negative publicity to a team that has endured plenty of it under owner David Tepper. Young also may be given a runway to bounce back during this season’s second half, especially as Andy Dalton battles a thumb sprain sustained in a car accident last week.

The Panthers would have the opportunity to trade Young in 2025 — a scenario that loomed as likely upon the team benching him before Week 3 — but have seen at least four teams call about the former Heisman winner. Young does not yet have enough snaps to qualify, but his 19.3 QBR would rank last this season.

Panthers Not Expected To Move Chuba Hubbard; Latest On Team’s Trade Plans

October 24th, 2024 at 8:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

While little has gone right for this season’s Panthers, they have seen their starting running back deliver. Chuba Hubbard is on pace for his first 1,000-yard season, and the effort is set to finish in Charlotte.

As the Panthers prepare for Jonathon Brooks‘ debut, that is not expected to influence their plans with Hubbard. Carolina is not expected to trade the contract-year running back, ESPN.com’s David Newton notes. Hubbard ranks fifth in the NFL in rushing yardage (537), averaging 5.2 per tote. He has impressed since taking over for Miles Sanders last season. Sanders is indeed a trade candidate.

This offseason brought some notable running back paydays, bringing optimism compared to a bleak 2023 at the position. Hubbard, 25, would stand to benefit after showing good form on bad teams. The Panthers made changes along their offensive line, paying up for guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, and Hubbard has benefited. Hubbard did gain 902 yards last season, when he started 12 games despite Sanders fetching the top RB contract on the 2023 market, but averaged 3.8 per carry. Next Gen Stats did slot Hubbard in the top 20 in terms of rushing yards over expected, however.

The Panthers prioritized upgrades in the run game this offseason, showing it by trading up to No. 46 for Brooks. The Texas product, this year’s first RB drafted, needing an extended runway to return after a November 2023 ACL tear worked to Hubbard’s advantage. Among first-time free agents, Hubbard will join Najee Harris, Javonte Williams and Khalil Herbert on next year’s market. Veterans will be available as well, but the Oklahoma State alum should still generate interest.

As Hubbard is set to work in tandem with Brooks soon, the Panthers are likely ready to part with some veterans. In addition to Sanders, the Panthers are likely open to moving Jonathan Mingo, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds. The 2023 second-round pick has not justified his draft slot, and a new Panthers regime (though, Dan Morgan was assistant GM when Mingo was drafted) added Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette this offseason.

Despite making five starts and Andy Dalton boosting the passing game after Bryce Young‘s benching, Mingo has just 12 receptions for 121 yards. The Panthers have seen Johnson generate interest, but the ex-Steeler said (via Newton) he does not want to be dealt.

Dave Canales also said he does not envision a Johnson trade commencing, though a good offer for the shifty route runner could obviously change the organization’s plans. Morgan and Co. will need to weigh offers against what level of compensatory pick Johnson could generate. A comp pick would not arrive until 2026, and the Panthers could look to re-sign Johnson before he hits free agency. Extension talks are not believed to have started, however.

Teams asked about Young following his September benching, but the Panthers shot down those inquiries. Still, rumblings in the wake of the benching pointed to the team being ready to move on from the No. 1 overall pick in 2025. If Young is not in Carolina’s post-2024 plans, and ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes he still does not appear to be, the team could look to explore a move now.

Dalton’s thumb sprain sustained in a car accident — which is set to throw Young back into the lineup — could throw a wrench into such plans, but given where the Panthers are in their rebuild, short-term matters would not stand to interfere with bigger-picture goals. Still, it would represent a historically quick ending for a No. 1 pick if Carolina were to move Young before the Nov. 5 deadline.

Giants Factored Into Panthers’ Trade-Up Move For RB Jonathon Brooks

June 19th, 2024 at 10:15am CST by Sam Robinson

Three years ago, Giants connections to DeVonta Smith prompted the Eagles to trade up (via the Cowboys) to outflank their rivals for the Heisman-winning wide receiver. A middle-class version of that situation looks to have played out during this year’s draft.

Not making a strong effort to retain Saquon Barkley in free agency, the Giants pivoted to ex-Brian Daboll Bills charge Devin Singletary at a lower rate. They did add another running back in the draft, addressing the position (Tyrone Tracy Jr.) in the fifth round for the second straight year. The Panthers made a move to ensure the Giants’ investment at the position did not come sooner.

Citing the Giants bringing in Jonathon Brooks for a “30” visit, Panthers GM Dan Morgan advocated to David Tepper the team should trade up to move ahead of the NFC East club for the Texas RB at No. 46. Morgan said he knew of other teams viewing Brooks as this draft’s top running back. Considering Brooks was chosen 20 picks before the second RB went off the board, it seems like a safe assumption other clubs shared Carolina’s view of the ex-Longhorns ball-carrier.

The Panthers traded down from No. 39, allowing the Rams to move up for Florida State defensive lineman Braden Fiske — a deal that gave Carolina a 2025 second-rounder. They sent the Colts two fifths to climb from 52 to 46, with the Giants sitting at 47. New York eventually took Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, marking the second straight year the Giants went with a Golden Gophers prospect (following center John Michael Schmitz) in Round 2.

“We knew that if we traded [No. 39] there would be a player that we would miss out on. We were comfortable with that because we really wanted Brooks, and to be able to get the two next year, we said, OK, once our guys start going, then we’re going have to move back up,” Morgan said, via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt. “It’s not like we did anything that was so smart or great or whatever; we were just willing to take a larger risk to get that outcome of the trade. It’s like, let’s not get cute here. Let’s just get our guy.”

Morgan and Giants GM Joe Schoen worked together for a stretch in Buffalo, helping give the new Panthers front office boss some insight on how his former coworker could be handling Round 2 in this year’s draft. Morgan also called Schoen about moving up, Gantt adds, while new Panthers exec Brandt Tilis contacted ex-Chiefs coworker Chris Ballard — a conversation that led to the Day 2 swap with the Colts.

Brooks fell to No. 46 in part because of a November ACL tear. He had still amassed 1,139 rushing yards (6.1 per tote) and 10 touchdowns in 11 games last year. With Chuba Hubbard going into a contract year, the Panthers made the move to add a successor early. While Brooks is not yet cleared for full work, he is expected to be back for training camp. He looks set to be eased into action, however, with The Athletic’s Joe Person indicating Hubbard is the “clear leader” on the depth chart going into camp (subscription required).

Hubbard usurped free agent signing Miles Sanders, who received last year’s top UFA RB contract (four years, $25.4MM), during Carolina’s dismal season. The former fourth-round pick totaled 902 rushing yards behind an injury-plagued O-line, averaging only 3.8 per carry, and scored five touchdowns. Sanders also suffered a heel injury while working out on his own, and the malady worsened during OTAs, Person adds.

Considering the Panthers also added Rashaad Penny — who overlapped with Dave Canales in Seattle — and it would not be shocking to see them move on from Sanders despite the dead money hit that would come. Though, it would cost Carolina more than $7MM to drop Sanders; the team would also carry 2025 dead money from that transaction.

As for the Giants, they have been linked to adding another veteran RB to the mix. Singletary is in place as the projected starter, with Tracy and Eric Gray behind him. The team has not re-signed multiyear backup Matt Breida. New York did add UFL rushing leader Jacob Saylors on Tuesday, but its backfield obviously does not appear as imposing as it did when Barkley resided atop the depth chart.

With costs rising on Big Blue’s payroll, the team opted not to re-sign the two-time Pro Bowler. It is not known if the Giants truly would have taken Brooks as a Barkley successor in Round 2, but the Panthers took that option off the table to be safe.

CMC Trade Fallout: Panthers, Offers, 49ers, Draft, Shanahan, Rams, Bills, Broncos, RBs

October 21st, 2022 at 12:38pm CST by Sam Robinson

While reports indicating Christian McCaffrey‘s availability appeared at select points this year, this process began to heat up in the days after Matt Rhule‘s firing. Last week became a tipping point, with McCaffrey’s position on the trade block becoming a relentless NFL story.

Scott Fitterer said he received initial McCaffrey offers last Friday, and while the team fell just short of receiving a first-round equivalent, the second-year GM said the combined value comes close (Twitter links via Panthers.com’s Darin Gantt). Interest picked up over the past two days, and Fitterer said three teams submitted hard offers.

The 49ers were the first team to reach out, Albert Breer of SI.com tweets, doing so last Friday. Other teams started calling Tuesday. The process concluded with the 49ers sending the Panthers second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-rounder in 2024.

It is safe to say the Rams were one of the final three. They were viewed as the silver medalist for the dual-threat running back, with NFL.com’s Peter Schrager indicating the Rams’ interest helped fuel the 49ers’ pursuit (video link). This reminds of 2021’s Matthew Stafford sweepstakes, when the 49ers pursued the veteran quarterback only to see the Rams swoop in late with a monster offer.

Cam Akers‘ struggles recapturing his pre-Achilles-tear form already led to some issues in the Rams’ backfield, matters compounded by injuries on their offensive line, but the third-year back’s trade likelihood further complicates this situation. Darrell Henderson resides as Los Angeles’ top back, but the team may still be on the lookout. Though, absent a talent like McCaffrey, it is possible the defending Super Bowl champions focus their pre-deadline efforts on higher-value positions.

The Bills may have been the third team. Buffalo checked in on McCaffrey this offseason, and while the team did not submit an offer then, it wanted a courtesy call in the event Carolina became serious about moving its All-Pro back. The Bills possessed an advantage on the Rams and 49ers, in holding their 2023 first-round pick. But Buffalo wanted to hold onto that choice, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports notes. McCaffrey’s future salaries ($11.8MM, $11.8MM, $12MM) were potentially problematic for a Bills team — one that extended Josh Allen in 2021, Stefon Diggs in 2022 and signed Von Miller in free agency — that features high costs atop its payroll.

Rumored as a suitor late last week, the Broncos called the Panthers about the Colorado native, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports notes. The team is not believed to have submitted an offer, however, per Jones. The Broncos could have put together a long-term McCaffrey-Javonte Williams partnership, though the latter — ACL tear notwithstanding — profiles as a potential star and is signed through 2024. Denver’s Russell Wilson contract also would have made bringing McCaffrey home more complicated.

While McCaffrey is not going home, he is returning to the region in which he starred in college. The former Heisman finalist at Stanford expressed interest for the past few days in returning to the Bay Area and playing for Kyle Shanahan, Tim Kawakami of The Athletic writes (subscription required). The 26-year-old back has known Kyle Shanahan most of his life, with the two being around the Mike Shanahan-era Broncos due to their fathers’ 1990s and 2000s Denver stays. Ed McCaffrey, a backup behind Jerry Rice and John Taylor during the 49ers’ 1994 Super Bowl-winning season, was with the Broncos from 1995-2003.

San Francisco still holds two third-round picks next year — due to Washington’s Martin Mayhew GM hire and Miami’s Mike McDaniel HC addition — but is now without first- or second-round choices. Shanahan confirmed McCaffrey would not be a rental, and Trey Lance‘s rookie deal will pair well with CMC’s salaries. But the team stands to enter next year’s draft with a Rams-like pick allotment.

“It’s great to have these draft picks and stuff,” Shanahan said during a KNBR appearance (via the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch). “That’s how you build your team. That’s how we build our team here is through the draft. But when you know you have a guaranteed guy and you don’t have to worry about three picks, hoping one of them will [work out], you just go get that guy. That’s something that I feel you never look back on. It’s rare that you can get those opportunities.”

In terms of how the Panthers will proceed going forward, Steve Wilks said the team will use a committee approach to replace McCaffrey. Carolina had used McCaffrey as a workhorse whenever he was available, a blueprint that may have contributed to his injury trouble over the past two years. But D’Onta Foreman and Chuba Hubbard stand to pick up the slack. Running back will likely be a Panthers 2023 need.

NFL Draft Pick Signings: 5/13/21

May 13th, 2021 at 9:33am CST by Zachary Links

Today’s late round signings:

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

  • DT Alim McNeill (third round; North Carolina State)

Green Bay Packers

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Football Team

Panthers Sign Fourth-Round RB Chuba Hubbard

May 6th, 2021 at 10:04am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers have signed fourth-round running back Chuba Hubbard, as Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Per the terms of his draft slot, the Oklahoma product will earn $4.2MM over the next four years. 

After finishing eighth in the 2019 Heisman Trophy voting, Hubbard caught the attention of scouts everywhere. He also made an impression on Julie Rhule, the wife of Panthers head coach Matt Rhule. Julie encouraged her husband to take the 6’0″ tailback and got her wish on Saturday.

This past year, Hubbard rushed for just 625 yards and saw his yards-per-carry figure drop from 6.4 to 4.7. Still, he compiled four straight 100-plus-yard outings, which gave him a good enough platform to go pro. And, just one year ago, he was a 2,000-yard rusher. Late last year, Scouts Inc. had him slotted him as the third best RB in this year’s class, behind only Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris.

Now, Hubbard will fight for reps behind star Christian McCaffrey. Veteran RBs Trenton Cannon and Reggie Bonnafon are also in the mix for Carolina.

RB Chuba Hubbard To Enter 2021 Draft

December 12th, 2020 at 1:42pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the top draft-eligible running backs will officially submit his name in the 2021 prospect pool. Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard is declaring for the draft, according to Cowboys coach Mike Gundy.

Hubbard missed Oklahoma State’s past two games due to an ankle injury and is not returning for their regular-season finale Saturday, opting to wrap his college career early and prepare for the draft.

A 2,000-yard rusher in 2019, Hubbard is expected to fall in near the top of next year’s running back class. Scouts Inc. slots the junior back third among draft-eligible runners — behind Clemson’s Travis Etienne and Alabama’s Najee Harris — despite a down third season in Stillwater, Okla.

After finishing eighth in the 2019 Heisman Trophy voting, Hubbard rushed for just 625 yards and saw his yards-per-carry figure drop from 6.4 to 4.7. That said, the 6-foot ball carrier still compiled four straight 100-plus-yard outings during this COVID-19-altered college football season. He figures to be a Day 2 prospect for running back-needy teams come April.