Bradley Chubb had a chance to shine Thursday in front of a national television audience and several NFL talent evaluators.
He did not disappoint.
The North Carolina State defensive end had a sack on the second play from scrimmage and blocked an extra point in the fourth quarter of the Wolfpack's 39-25 win over No. 17 Louisville.
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Chubb was the defensive leader for the 24th-ranked Wolfpack, who harassed reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson the entire night at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh. Chubb entered with 5 1/2 sacks on the season and the All-American added another as he blew past Louisville left tackle Geron Christian, a 6-6, 315-pound junior also considered an NFL prospect.
Holy smokes Bradley Chubb is good. Bend and tilt around the edge. pic.twitter.com/M8y12XSEBZ
— Riley Auman (@junioraumanac) October 6, 2017
Thursday's game drew plenty of NFL talent evaluators to Raleigh, including Cardinals general manager Steve Keim, Washington vice president of player personnel Doug Williams, Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney and Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas.
Chubb was a disruptive force from the start, sacking Jackson on Louisville's second play from scrimmage. With a quick burst and relentless pursuit, the 6-4, 275-pound senior is a sure-fire first-round pick and might even go in the top 10. His block of a Louisville extra-point try kept the N.C. State to seven points at 32-25 with 4:10 remaining.
Jackson's superb athleticism and arm strength is easy to see, but he struggled with accuracy in the face of relentless pressure from the Wolfpack defense. He finished 26 of 47 for 354 yards and 73 rushing yards on 19 carries while rushing for a score and throwing a touchdown and a late interception that was returned for a touchdown.
The 6-3, 211-pound junior became the first non-senior quarterback with over 7,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a career. He's just the sixth quarterback to ever put up those numbers.
Chubb and Jackson were the two marquee NFL prospects in Thursday's key ACC game, but there was another draft-eligible player who stood out.
N.C. State junior running back Nyheim Hines, who is only 5-9, 197 pounds, was a dynamo with 18 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 15 yards and had four kick returns for a total of 105 yards. He had the play of the night, spinning away from two Louisville defenders to set up his second touchdown.
Double spin move? Double spin move. HIT THAT B BUTTON @TheNyNy7 ! Right @Hasselbeck ? #MustSeeACC pic.twitter.com/wKJxTqXyS6
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 6, 2017
While there's no guarantee he'll enter the draft in such a potentially deep year for running backs, Hines showed the burst, balance and elusiveness any team would love to have.
There are still questions about Jackson's NFL projection, but there are absolutely zero doubts about whether or not Chubb will go in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.