As a kid, Utah Utes safety R.J. Hubert dreamed of playing college football. He dreamed of playing in big games, against marquee programs. Hubert’s living that dream right now, leading the Utah defense in tackles as they head into a prime-time matchup against an undefeated USC team.
Yet, Hubert’s story isn’t as simple as that. His is a tale of faith and football, of dreams that were often plagued by nightmares, of tackling adversity to achieve success.
Utah Safety R.J. Hubert Leading the Utes Secondary in 2022
With a little hop in his step as he backpedaled towards the Southern Utah 40-yard line, Hubert plucked the ball out of the sky. It was early September, and early in the third quarter, Utah was having its way with their FCS opponent.
Advancing the ball and tight roping down the sideline, the Utes No. 11 found the end zone, ensuring a 19th-consecutive season with the program securing a pick-six — an FBS high.
Flanked by teammates in celebration, Hubert reveled in the moment. Not only did the play help the Utes continue their incredible pick-six run, but it was also the first interception of Hubert’s career. Turning to face the crowd, he positioned his hands across his chest making a heart sign to the adoring Utah faithful at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Less than a month later, and back in front of the home crowd, Hubert stepped in front of an end-zone-bound pass, snagging his second career interception. Striding out downfield, he advanced 70+ yards before having his run halted at the Oregon State 30-yard line. Showcasing his ability to read and react, it was a big play in what is turning out to be a big senior season for the Utah safety.
Ahead of their pivotal Pac-12 clash with USC on Saturday, Hubert leads Utah with 39 total tackles, including two for loss. He also leads the team with two forced fumbles. Hubert’s two interceptions rank second behind potential 2023 NFL Draft first-rounder Clark Phillips III.
The two secondary standouts have snagged three interception touchdowns between them. Hubert is playing the best football of his career, living out his childhood dream. For the Utah safety, it’s been a long time coming.
Dreams and Nightmares, Faith and Football
“Man, I loved college football growing up,” Hubert told the media before the start of the 2022 season. “It was always my dream to play college football.”
Logandale, Nevada, is a small town of around 5,000 people. Situated an hour outside of the nearest FBS campus, it’s not a thriving, bustling college town. There isn’t a rich heritage or pipeline of prospects funneling to the NFL. Yet, from this desert town on the outskirts of slot machine city rose the dreams of a young kid who is lighting up the Utah secondary.
At Moapa Valley High School, Hubert was a difference-maker. A track star who excelled in the high jump and 100m and 110m hurdles, he took that athleticism to the football field as a productive two-way player.
During his high school career, Hubert tallied 50 touchdowns with receiving, rushing, and return scores. Playing wide receiver, running back, and defensive back, he was the epitome of an all-purpose weapon who earned Nevada Division 1A MVP honors as a junior. A three-star recruit and the No. 1 prospect in the state, Nevada made an offer, but Utah offered the opportunity for Power Five football.
The dream of college football was in Hubert’s grasp. However, something bigger than football would keep that dream at arm’s length.
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A practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Hubert’s commitment to Utah in the 2016 recruiting class wouldn’t see him arrive on campus until 2018.
As part of his faith, the future Ute traveled to Mississippi and Louisiana on an LDS mission. Even there, ensconced in his faith and committed to helping make a difference, the dream of football flowed through Hubert’s thoughts.
“I would tell people that I was going to play college football after my mission,” Hubert told The Deseret News ahead of this season.
His LDS mission complete, Hubert arrived in Salt Lake City in 2018 a 20-year-old man wisened by years and life experiences in a locker room of 17-18-year-old kids. Yet, he was still a freshman, fighting to make an impression.
Like most freshmen at Power Five programs, Hubert’s impact was made on special teams where his form in the final six games of the season saw a heightened role for the 2019 campaign that included three starts and impressive performances against Washington State and Washington.
Injury Nightmares Plague the Utah Safety’s Dreams
Then disaster struck in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
Hubert suffered a significant knee injury as the Utes lost to Oregon. While he recovered sufficiently to play in 2020, the global pandemic limited his playing time as the Pac-12 was impacted more than any other conference across the nation.
The Utah safety saw defensive snaps in just two games while contributing on special teams across four games. 2021 promised better. 2021 promised success. However, 2021 had plans that would test his faith and put his college football dreams on hold, turning them into nightmares.
During the Utes spring game, Hubert suffered the second ACL tear of his career. Having waited five years for his opportunity to live out a dream as a CFB starter, Hubert’s dreams lay in tatters, shrouded in nightmares.
It would have been easy to give in. It would have been easy to give up on the dream. Yet, with a combination of faith and family, that dream would never leave him.
“It’s understanding that there’s light at the other end of the tunnel,” Hubert said reflecting upon the drive and determination that has seen him return to the field this season. “I went through some dark times. It was difficult. I had my wife there to support me, and that was great. She really helped bring my spirits up when times were dark. The big thing was realizing that at the tail end of this, I’m going to be playing again.”
Hubert Playing His Very Best Football at the End of a Long Journey
Not only is Hubert playing again, but he’s also playing at an incredibly high level. His name might not be on the tip of the national tongue, but perhaps it should be. He’s athletic, intelligent, and impressively physical.
While that national attention might allude him, Hubert’s contributions and how he’s fought to achieve them have not gone unnoticed inside Utah’s program.
“I’m very proud of R.J. and for the adversity he’s faced and overcome. I’m just thrilled for him,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham told the media ahead of the UCLA game. “I couldn’t be more happy for a young man to fight through that and have the success he’s having right now.”
From Logandale to Louisiana, from Moapa Valley to Mississippi, from the practice field to the operating table, Hubert has traveled a much longer journey than most CFB players who will take the field this weekend. Yet, playing the best football of his elongated career, he’s set to lead the Utes into battle on one of the biggest stages in college football.
Just like he always dreamed of.
