Wyatt Hubert NFL Draft Overview:
Position: Edge Defender
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 265 pounds
School: Kansas State
Wyatt Hubert Draft Profile
Edge defender is a position all teams look to strengthen in the off-season. Wyatt Hubert is not regarded as a top prospect but he was a productive three-year starter for Kansas State in the Big 12. Pro scouts often get lost in the measurables and performance of prospects in athletic drills. However, plenty of professional players are simply born to play football and there’s always a space in the NFL for work ethic and drive.
Hubert dominated the competition at Shawnee Heights High School in Topeka, playing defensive end and contributing on offense as a tight end. He chose to stay in-state out of high school by committing to the Wildcats as part of the 2017 recruiting class. Hubert proceeded to redshirt his freshman year at college.
As a redshirt freshman, Hubert played in 12 games, recording 4.5 sacks and earning freshman All-American honors. Huberts’ production jumped his sophomore year as he was named a first-team All-Big 12 defensive end in 2019. He made another leap as a junior in 2020 as he totaled 8.5 sacks in just 10 games in his final season at the college level. For his career, Hubert racked up 20 total sacks for the Kansas State Wildcats. That kind of production will get the attention of NFL scouts, as will the consistent improvement Hubert made season to season.
Strengths
- Incredible work effort – high motor;
- Aggressive – got in the backfield a lot for Kansas State – 33 tackles for loss in three seasons;
- Has a good dip to his outside rush – bends around the corner, affects the quarterback;
- Sets a strong edge despite being slightly undersized for the position;
- Finds a way to manufacture pressure – with his hand in the dirt or standing up he finds a way to affect the play.
Weaknesses
- Doesn’t operate in space fluidly – heavy legs when asked to change direction quickly in coverage;
- Needs to develop more pass rush moves – gets locked onto blocks when lineman gets inside position;
- Gets caught upfield on his pass rush – needs to be disciplined in containment;
- Really just a pass rush, edge specialist – lack of versatility to stay on the field;
- Lack of speed in pursuit – Shows good hustle though.
NFL Comparison: Stephen Weatherly
Weatherly has enjoyed some success as an edge defender in the NFL, despite lacking an abundance of pass rush moves. Experience playing up or down on the edge is useful versatility for teams. Weatherly fits on the edge standing up or with his hand in the dirt. He has a high motor and has the ability to set a strong edge in the run game.
Teams With Need at Position: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings,
Projection: Day 3 Pick
Bottom Line on Wyatt Hubert
Hubert is one of those prospects whose love of football is obvious. The pass rush specialist gives 100% down after down. His work ethic helped him improve every season at Kansas State. A team who drafts Hubert will love his drive and enthusiasm for the game and there’s always a place in the league for an edge rusher with a high motor.
However, Hubert has clear limitations in terms of versatility. He’s slow to react whenever he drops into coverage and doesn’t move well in space. Hubert is not an athlete who will test well in combine drills which adds up to what scouts see on tape. Compared to edge rushers who will test well in athletic-based drills, he’s not seen as early-round value.
His limitations as an athlete in terms of testing aside, Wyatt Hubert has the potential to be a good football player at the pro level. The skills he shows on tape translate well to being a special teams contributor which would help him catch onto a roster. From there, anything is possible with the kind of drive and motor Hubert clearly has. Hubert improved every year at college; with pro coaching and given time to develop, he could turn into a contributor as a pass-rush specialist down the road.
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