Hubbard hopes to have big summer
D.J. Hubbard put up big numbers in his junior season and had a solid performance at the Los Angeles NIKE Camp but offers have not come in yet and one reason might be because Hubbard is only 5 feet 6. His height might be a concern until coaches can see him at summer camps.
The Avondale (Ariz.) La Joya Community all-purpose back isn't fretting about it though. Hubbard is taking it as a challenge and he's looking forward to proving to college coaches that he can play on the Division I level.
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"It's a concern but sometimes it's an advantage," Hubbard said. "When I'm on the field and I get the ball they don't know who's getting the ball until I do get the ball. Most of the time I'm unseen until I hit the hole and when I hit the hole and get into the open field it's pretty much done from there.
"I do get that a lot, that they want me to come to their summer camps and I have no problem with that. People should have to prove themselves. Colleges just don't want to give out free money to someone they don't know is going to be good or not. I just have to prove myself at these summer camps."
There are plans to attend camps at Arizona, Arizona State and Southern Cal and there could be more in store for Hubbard, who finished with 1,173 yards and 11 touchdowns on 150 carries last season. He's also used in the passing game and on special teams.
Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every wrote after the LA NIKE Camp that Hubbard could be utilized in a spread offense and also as a return specialist a lot like Brandon James of Florida who is of similar height.
Even with those numbers in his junior season recruiting hasn't taken off yet and Hubbard said it's more motivating than anything.
"That is a big motivation," he said. "When people doubt you it makes you want to work harder."
Army, Northern Arizona and Arizona State have stopped by his school in recent weeks and he said it was especially big to see the Sun Devils since they're a Pac-10 team and close to home. He will camp in Tempe this summer - and hopefully prove to the coaches he's good enough to compete at that level.
"That's huge," Hubbard said. "ASU is a big school and for them to come to my school just to visit me that's pretty special."