Canadian running back Chuba Hubbard has been selected by the Carolina Panthers in the fourth round, 126th overall during the 2021 NFL Draft.
Hubbard becomes the first running back from Canada to be picked in the NFL Draft since Tim Biakabutuka in 1996 when the Panthers chose him in the first round.
At his Oklahoma State University pro day, Hubbard ran a hand-timed 4.36 forty-yard dash. He also recorded a 36-inch vertical jump, 10-foot broad jump, 4.26 short shuttle, 7.24 three-cone, and performed 20 reps of 225 pound on the bench press.
Hubbard led the NCAA with 2,094 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore and was named the Big 12 Conference Offensive Player of the Year. He finished eighth in voting for the Heisman Trophy, the most prestigious award in college football.
Many pundits speculated that he would have been a second or third-round pick had he declared for the 2020 NFL Draft. Instead, Hubbard returned to Oklahoma State for his redshirt junior season, proving his desire to lead his team to a conference championship.
The Cowboys started the season strong at 5-1 but were manhandled by rival Oklahoma on November 21 by a score of 41-13. Hubbard re-aggravated an injury that had plagued him for parts of the year, ending his season. Hubbard finished the season with 133 carries for 625 yards and five touchdowns, by far the worst totals of his college career.
The native of Sherwood Park, Alta. drew the attention of American scouts when he played at Bev Facey Community High School in his hometown. He rushed 458 times for 6,880 yards and 82 touchdowns over three years playing Canadian football.
The 21-year-old Hubbard joins Christian McCaffrey in the Panthers backfield where he will look to contribute as a ball carrier, receiver out of the backfield, and return specialist.
