WVU OL Ja’Quay Hubbard Takes Shot at Pitt While Talking Expectations, Leadership

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU offensive lineman Ja’Quay Hubbard furthered his reputation as one of the more outspoken Mountaineers during his time with the media, including Mike Asti of WV Sports Now, after practice on Friday.

Hubbard covered everything from his mentality as a leader to the current expectation on the offensive line. He even took a shot at West Virginia’s arch rival up north in the process.

While making it clear the offensive line is holding itself to the same standard despite the losses of Zach Frazier and Doug Nester, Hubbard said he knows he can’t “just talk about it, he has to be about it” when it comes to being a leader of the group. Hubbard also brought up feeling more comfortable calling out plays and believes he doesn’t give away as much to defensive linemen as far as tells.

But in the midst of his analysis about his game and the team overall, Hubbard dropped a comment that will undoubtedly add more fuel to the fire of the Backyard Brawl.

WVU OL Ja’Quay Hubbard: “I could’ve went to Pitt out of high school. I could’ve went to Pitt in the portal. I just never wanted to go to Pitt.”

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) April 19, 2024

“I could’ve went to Pitt out of high school. I could’ve went to Pitt in the portal. I just never wanted to go to Pitt,” offered Hubbard unprompted while talking about his journey to becoming a Mountaineer. Hubbard, a Hermitage, Pa. native, transferred to WVU before the 2020 season after initially starting his college career at Virginia.

Hubbard even added a shot directed at everyone still doubting this West Virginia team.

“This is not a rebuild. Come August 31st, we’ll show you guys what’s up.”

WVU OL Ja’Quay Hubbard says: “This is not a rebuild. Come August 31st, we’ll show you guys what’s up.”

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) April 19, 2024

To back up his words, Hubbard expressed being in the best shape of his playing career and continuing to perfect the full lifestyle change he had to employ in order to be a quality player worthy of being a West Virginia Mountaineer.

Hubbard made a promise to fans when he re-committed to the Mountaineers for one final season by signing new deal with WVU’s NIL collective “Country Roads Trust” in January. “I can’t believe my last season is approaching. I promise my team and this state I am going to give it everything I got plus more,” said Hubbard on X (Twitter) at the time.

For a related story, Ja’Quay Hubbard opened up about the WVU football program riding itself of “energy vampires” during its cultural shift over the past year.

Ja’Quay Hubbard Opens Up About WVU Football’s Cultural Shift, Clearing Out ‘Energy Vampires’