Bradley Chubb excited about return to NC State football
NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb could of been getting ready for this week’s NFL Combine in Indianapolis, but instead began spring practice with the Wolfpack.
Chubb had the difficult decision of either turning pro or returning for his senior year at NC State, and he chose the latter shortly after a big Independence Bowl victory against Vanderbilt.
The 6-4, 275-pound Chubb earned second-team All-ACC honors in 2016 after tallying 57 total stops, 22 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He ranked fourth nationally in tackles for loss and 19th in sacks. Pro Football Focus named Chubb the No. 16 overall returning player in college football.
“Throughout the whole process, I felt like I need to work on some little things,” Chubb said. “I came back to just improve those things.”
Chubb felt that if NC State can improve upon its 7-6 mark of a year ago, it will only help him in the process.
“I came back for both myself and for this team,” Chubb said. “I love everybody on this team, but I just wanted to finish what we started.”
Head coach Dave Doeren knows Chubb was his biggest “recruit” for the 2017 season.
“It was and it’s a big decision,” Doeren said. “The thing I am most proud of with Bradley is how he did it. He took his time, and he got all his information. He talked to the people that mattered most to him — his family and brother. He made it for the right reasons.
“He knew there was things he could do to improve his stock. He knew he could get closer to being a college graduate.”
The ACC was loaded with quality defensive ends last year, with a few that have turned professional. Chubb and Boston College defensive end Harold Landry decided to return to college, and they could be battling for the sack title in 2017. Landry led the league with 16 this past fall.
If the defensive end ranks thinned out in any ways from last year, that will surely help out Chubb.
“When you move to fourth or fifth in the draft at your position group to first or second, you are talking $20 million,” Doeren said. “He knows the financial end of that. If he does what he is supposed to do, it can be life changing.”
Chubb said his decision to return was mostly strictly football reasons. He knows he could get his degree down the road if he had turned pro, but just wanted one more chance to improve the team’s standing.
“I want to prove something to myself and the whole world,” Chubb said.
NCSU’s defensive line features four seniors potentially starting with Chubb, defensive end Kentavius Street and defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Justin Jones. The Wolfpack know the circle of opportunity has arrived.
“This group could be the best group in the country,” Chubb said. “I honestly believe that. I thought we were one of the best last year, but we didn’t get enough credit. This year, we are definitely coming for the best spot in the nation.”
Chubb pointed out that it wasn’t that long ago he was a linebacker at NC State. He was listed at 6-4 and 225 pounds his senior year of high school at Powder Springs (Ga.) Hillgrove High.
“I always remember and make jokes about it,” Chubb said. “I can still drop back if I need to. [An extra year] can do a lot, especially if I focus on like I am going to. This whole offseason, I’ve been working on my flexibility and my hands.”
Chubb will experience one difference for his senior year — a new position coach. He’s making the adjustment to new defensive line coach Kevin Patrick after he replaced Ryan Nielsen, who was hired by the New Orleans Saints.
“He is a real cool dude, but we are still learning each other out,” Chubb said of Patrick. “Spring is a great time to do that.”
Chubb definitely understood the career dilemma that Nielsen faced, and supports his former coach 100 percent.
“I’ve talked to him the other day,” Chubb said. “We definitely grew close. It was sad to see him go, but he felt like it was best for him. You can’t doubt a man for doing something that is best for him and his family, like people can’t doubt me for coming back.
“We both made big decisions this year. We are both happy with them.”
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