Name: Victor Hubbard
School: Peru State
Position: DB
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 195
Q: What goals did you set and/or accomplish in your final collegiate season?
As a senior, I wanted to perform to the best of my abilities and in order to do so I devoted a lot of my free time during the summer to watching my own film from past seasons and comparing it to how I play now. I made a lot of adjustments to my technique based on past mistakes I had learned from and I made it a personal goal of mine to continue to watch my own film following every game to see what I’m doing right or wrong or what I could’ve done a little differently. I made it a point to push my team in every possible way and I took initiative in leading and motivating my team in the off-season. I stayed at school over the summer to work with some of my teammates that are from the area and ensure that we were all holding each other accountable in getting after the season before it even started. I took a lot of pride in encouraging our returners, and our new guys, to forget about any of their past seasons and focus on the build-up and success of the team. I made it a goal of mine to never let the adversity of being an underdog get the best of me. No matter the competition, my number one goal was to inspire my team to always move forward by exemplifying my own resilience and casting it onto them in the process of completing the season.
Q: What would your coaches and teammates say about the type of player you are?
More than anything, I believe my coaches and teammates would say that I’m a leader. With that role, however, comes a lot of patience and open mindedness and I demonstrated that through my ability to constantly put my team above myself in any circumstance. My teammates value the gratitude and respect I display to them as their teammate and friend because although we may play different positions or be different in age groups, I am still grinding right beside them day in and day out with the same aspirations of winning in mind. My coaches would point out my work ethic and competitiveness on the field. I am well aware of the many different duties that go along with being apart of a football team and I gladly take initiative in completing said tasks no matter how big or how small. I strongly believe in only getting out what you put in and I hold myself to that expectation every day.
Q: When you are studying film, what do you focus on to improve your game?
When I’m studying position film, I try to focus more so on critiquing and learning my bad habits. I emphasize looking at small things like foot placement, etc.- any mistake that might lead a receiver to taking advantage, regardless of how prominent or inconspicuous it may have been during the game. When watching game film with the rest of my team I make sure that my critique is less judgmental and more of a constructive deal to where I’m not bashing my teammates for mistakes that we all make, but helping them push forward in the right direction as well as myself.
Q: What separates you from the other pro prospects at your position?
My will and drive to be at the absolute best of my ability not only physically but mentally during the game. I make mistakes just like anybody, but I am resilient in proving that I’ll never let anyone see the same mistake twice. I have expectations for myself that I strive to accomplish each and every day. I have sacrificed a lot and devoted my life to this sport since I was little, and that passion and motivation has yet to change. If I’ve learned anything from all of my years of playing football, it’s that the game is constantly changing. It’s in my power to study the changes and adapt to stay on top. I will forever remain open to adversity, criticism, and empowerment from the game itself and the people around me on my journey to be the best at my job on the field.
Q: What is your offseason plan to train and prepare for professional opportunities?
I am currently training at One:9 Sports Performance in Argyle, TX. I train daily with other pro prospects as well as some professional athletes and regularly go up against professional receivers.
Q: What kind of strengths and abilities will you bring to a team that will stand out both on and off the field?
Although my primary position is DB, I have been placed in several different positions during my collegiate career including Gunner on both Kickoff and Punt, Kickoff Return, and Punt Return. I bring versatility and flexibility to the team to fill in any holes and perform the job asked of me. I bring a substantial amount of energy and effort along with me in everything that I do. I set a bar for myself to constantly keep an ambitious attitude no matter what I endure. Without question, no matter what job I am assigned, I complete every detail with the upmost effort. I am learning new things about myself, the game, my competition, etc. each and every day and I plan to keep soaking up all of the knowledge and criticism presented to me throughout my experiences to continue to demonstrate my devotion to this sport and my team. I will never cease to manifest confidence in my coaches, my team and myself.
Q: What is your final pitch to the NFL or any other pro leagues?
I am aware that I come from a small NAIA school, but I can guarantee that I will hold myself to nothing less than perfect when it comes to the dedication needed to play at the professional level. I have an abundance of talent, devotion, and coachable persona to be valued for many years to come and I hope to prove that given the chance. I am confident in myself as a person and as an athlete and am looking forward to the opportunity to contribute my assets to an organization bigger than myself. Whether I am assigned as a Special Teams specialist or a nickel back, I am more than ready and willing to make things happen anywhere you put me- all I need is a chance.
