Local standout ready to make NFL dream a reality
HERMITAGE, Pa. (WKBN) – As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, many athletes will see a lifelong dream come true after years and years of work.
'It's great to be in this position; it only happens once in a lifetime, and I'm just thankful for the career that I've been able to have so far and hopefully to be able to continue on here in the next few weeks,' said Ja'Quay Hubbard.
The Hermitage native has been making his opportunities count for years now.
'So just try to maximize the time that you got. And when you get your shot, you know, make it count,' Hubbard said.
The Sharpsville High School graduate is fresh off a 40-game career at West Virginia, starting all 13 games at offensive guard his senior season in Morgantown.
'It was great, got to go out and play my last collegiate games with a great group of guys who I got to sacrifice with and learned a lot with,' Hubbard said. 'Even though the record didn't reflect, it was one of the most meaningful years of my career.'
Now, the 6-foot-5, 320-pound offensive lineman has his eyes on the next level. Hubbard recently took part in the Big XII Pro Day back in mid-March and has been training with some of his former Mountaineer coaching staff in preparation.
'It's been great, man, just really getting your body right, trying to get as normal as possible, explosive as possible,' Hubbard said. 'Just, you know, if you get a next level of the opportunity, you want to make the most of it.'
But it was back on the field with the Sharpsville Blue Devils when Hubbard first found that confidence and desire to try and turn football into a job in the future.
'Not even the Five Blocks of Granite, even though it was huge for me, not even winning All-State, it was honestly starting my freshman year — Sharpsville vs. Farrell week eight. I think we're both undefeated, and it was one of the biggest games until this day, I think in our area,' Hubbard said. 'The fact I was being able to not only start but have a pretty decent game as a freshman ever since that day, that's when I knew I was like, oh yeah, I'm going to try to take this to the next level.'
The support from the Valley has followed him every step of the way, from Virginia to West Virginia and wherever is next.
'Not just Sharpsville, not just Hermitage, but Mercer County and Trumbull County, you know, the whole area. I love the support, and it keeps me going,' Hubbard said. 'I'm doing it for my family first and foremost, but then I'm doing it for, you know, represent the 724 and 330 as well.'
The 2025 NFL Draft takes place from April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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