NC State junior defensive end Bradley Chubb tallied 22 tackles for loss in 2016. Only eventual No. 1 overall draft pick Mario Williams — whose honored No. 9 jersey Chubb wears with a patch honoring the former Wolfpack great — has ever posted more in a season in Raleigh (27.5). Chubb announced Wednesday he will return for his final year of eligibility, giving him a chance to take aim on several historic marks held by Williams.
“I’m very happy about this decision because I know coming back to NC State is the best thing for me,” Chubb said in a statement released by the school. “I prayed about it and know that I’m supposed to stay. I have personal goals — being first-team All-ACC and All-American — that I haven’t accomplished yet, but more importantly I want to help our team accomplish our goals. We have some unfinished business and I can’t wait to get back on the field with my Wolfpack brothers and get to work.”
Chubb was named second-team All-ACC this fall while finishing fourth in the land for tackles for loss (he was actually atop the national standings at the end of the regular season). Additionally, he notched 10.5 sacks, which ranked 19th in the FBS and tied for third in school history. Based on the strength of a stout defensive line led by Chubb, the Pack ranked eighth nationally in rushing yards allowed (108.6) with a mark that ranked fifth in program annals.
The native of Marietta, Ga., was bestowed the Mario Williams Award as the team's defensive MVP and will enter his senior campaign 12th in NCSU history for career tackles for loss (34) and 10th in sacks (16). He has also forced six fumbles the last two years, which is tied for ninth in a career with the Pack.
In 2015 — his first season at defensive end after starting his college career at linebacker — Chubb notched 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles among 69 stops en route to being named the Carey Brewbaker Defensive Lineman of the Year.
“Nothing could have made our new year happier than the call from Chubb to tell me he wanted to return to NC State,” head coach Dave Doeren added. “On the field, he is a special player, a game changer and a difference maker. Off the field, he’s a great leader and a great teammate.
“Bradley is a tremendous young man and I look forward to seeing him develop further. Our defensive line is a brotherhood and those guys love each other. It will be an honor to see them all play together again in 2017. Having one more year in our program to grow athletically, academically and socially will only make Bradley more ready for what’s next.”
The 6-4, 275-pound Chubb will enter his final season 10 sacks shy of claiming the school's career record, while another 22 tackles for loss would also place him atop the NCSU record books.
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