Sam Hubbard Bio
Sam Hubbard (born June 29, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for his entire seven-year career with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Sam Hubbard was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he attended Archbishop Moeller High School. During his high school career, he played the position of Safety, achieving notable statistics with 109 tackles and five interceptions as a senior. Rated as a five-star recruit by Scout.com, he committed to Ohio State University to pursue college football. In addition to football, Hubbard also played lacrosse in high school and was once committed to the University of Notre Dame for lacrosse.
Path to American Football
After redshirting his first year at Ohio State in 2014, Hubbard made an immediate impact as a redshirt freshman in 2015, participating in all 13 games and recording 28 tackles and 6.5 sacks. His performance improved each year, culminating in a standout redshirt junior season in 2017, where he recorded 42 tackles and a career-high seven sacks. Following this successful college career, Hubbard declared for the 2018 NFL draft on December 30, 2017.
Sam Hubbard Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Sam Hubbard was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, being the 77th overall pick. He signed a four-year contract worth $3.61 million, which included a signing bonus of $929,200. In his rookie season, he made an immediate impact, recording his first career sack against the Baltimore Ravens and finishing the season with 6 sacks and 39 total tackles.
Breakthrough (2021-2022)
In 2021, Hubbard signed a four-year contract extension with the Bengals worth $40 million. He had a notable performance in the AFC Championship against the Kansas City Chiefs, where he strip-sacked quarterback Patrick Mahomes, contributing to the Bengals’ victory. In Super Bowl LVI, he recorded eight tackles against the Los Angeles Rams. The following year, Hubbard made headlines during the Wild Card Round against the Ravens, scoring a 98-yard touchdown off a fumble recovery, marking the longest fumble return touchdown in NFL postseason history.
Notable Works and Milestones
Throughout his career, Sam Hubbard recorded impressive statistics, including 398 total tackles, 38.5 sacks, and multiple forced fumbles. His performance in critical games, particularly during the playoffs, solidified his reputation as a key player for the Bengals.
Sam Hubbard Award Nominations
Sam Hubbard has been recognized for his contributions on and off the field, including nominations for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2021 and 2022 due to his community support efforts.
Sam Hubbard Awards Won
Hubbard’s accolades include being named Second-team All-Big Ten in 2017 during his college career at Ohio State.
Sam Hubbard Family
Sam Hubbard is married to Jessica Koehler. The couple tied the knot on April 12, 2025, shortly after Hubbard announced his retirement from professional football.
Personal Life
In addition to his football career, Hubbard is dedicated to philanthropy, having established the Sam Hubbard Foundation in 2021. His commitment to community service has been a significant aspect of his life, earning him recognition as a nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.