3. Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State
If he’d been draft-eligible this past year, Hubbard would fit right in with the class of backs who heard their names called in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. He’s a talented running back who receives a heavy workload, similar to Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor last year.
Like Travis Etienne, Hubbard played a significant role in his team’s offense as a rookie but didn’t produce award-winning numbers. That changed last year when Hubbard led the Big 12 and NCAA with 2,094 rushing yards, narrowly edging out Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins and Taylor.
Hubbard also led the Big 12 with 21 rushing touchdowns, which tied for third in the NCAA with Dobbins, Taylor, and Navy’s Malcolm Perry. Hubbard earned a Consensus All-American selection and won the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year award.
Running backs and quarterbacks have a history of winning the Heisman. With Oklahoma State’s offense revolving around Hubbard, he’s in the perfect position to capture Heisman votes this season.