Oklahoma State Professional Athletes

Hubbard Puts the League on Notice

Chuba Hubbard didn't just have a good game in Philadelphia — he had a statement one. The Oklahoma State product rushed for 120 yards and a touchdown in Carolina's 25-14 win over the Eagles, a performance that underscored just how much the Panthers' offense runs through him when things click. It wasn't a fluke, either: multiple reports describe Hubbard as having fully recaptured the form that made him one of the NFC's more reliable backs in 2024.

The win over Philadelphia was a team effort, but Hubbard's name headlined the post-game breakdown. He also pulled receiving duty, hauling in one catch for a single yard — a token gain, but a sign of his role in Carolina's evolving offense. Hubbard returned the favor on Bryce Young, who is generating genuine contract buzz, calling the quarterback a "1-of-1 player." The mutual appreciation is notable: when a franchise QB and a lead back are singing each other's praises publicly, chemistry tends to follow on the field.

Looking ahead to Week 7, fantasy analysts are already debating Hubbard's ceiling against Tampa Bay — with some projections diverging from the consensus, a signal that he's back in the conversation as a must-start back rather than a situational option.

Warren's Moment Approaches

In Pittsburgh, Jaylen Warren is quietly becoming the Steelers' most important offensive weapon — not by design, but by circumstance. Warren posted 50 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards (on two catches) in Pittsburgh's 26-19 win over Tampa Bay in Week 6, a steady if unspectacular line that doesn't fully capture his growing role.

The bigger story: heading into a high-profile Week 7 matchup against the Saints in Paris, Warren may find himself with full bell-cow responsibilities. Starting back Rico Dowdle was listed as questionable with a knee injury, and multiple previews of the game identify feeding Warren as a key to a Pittsburgh victory. One game plan breakdown flatly declared "get Jaylen Warren the ball" as a top strategic priority for the Steelers — the kind of framing that doesn't happen for a committee back.

A Paris stage, a possible starting nod, and an offense that needs its ground game to function: it's the kind of week that can redefine a player's stock. The former Cowboy has the opportunity to make it count.

Around the Rest of the Roster

Two other OSU alumni logged action in Week 6, albeit in supporting roles. Justice Hill hauled in three passes for nine yards for the Ravens in Baltimore's 10-13 loss to Cleveland — a quiet day for a team that came up short. On the other side of that same game, Tylan Wallace contributed one reception for 12 yards for the Browns in the upset win.

Also worth noting: cornerback Kenneth Harris, the former Oklahoma State DB who was released by New England in August, received an elevation from the Colts' practice squad ahead of their Week 7 matchup against the Vikings — a small but meaningful development for a player who earned preseason recognition as a top-five rookie to watch. Meanwhile, veteran lineman Teven Jenkins landed on injured reserve for the Browns, a setback that removes him from the depth chart as Cleveland tries to sustain its momentum.

The Cowboys' alumni footprint across the NFL remains wide — but this week, it's the two Cowboys backfields getting all the attention.

Jaylen Warren didn't just have a big game Sunday. He had a historically big game — and the hardware to prove it.

The Oklahoma State product torched the Indianapolis Colts for 188 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns in Pittsburgh's 34-22 win, earning AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts. The performance was headlined by an 80-yard receiving touchdown in the first quarter — a short catch turned into a sideline sprint — that made Warren the first NFL player in 40 years to score on a catch-and-run of that magnitude, a feat last accomplished by Herschel Walker for the Dallas Cowboys.

Warren finished the day with 101 rushing yards and a score on 15 carries, adding six receptions for 87 yards and that electric TD reception. Aaron Rodgers, who threw three touchdown passes in the win, didn't hold back in his praise of the former Cowboy afterward. Head coach Mike McCarthy has since signaled a shift in the backfield pecking order, a development that won't sit well with incumbent starter Rico Dowdle.

With the Steelers banged up after Week 5 and Warren firmly in command of the offense's most dynamic role, the Oklahoma State product looks poised to remain a central figure in Pittsburgh's plans — and a rising trade target in fantasy circles heading into the second half of the season.

Also Worth Watching

Ollie Gordon II made his own case in South Beach. The Dolphins running back ran for 88 yards and a touchdown in Miami's 24-31 loss to the Bengals — a solid outing that showed the rookie can produce even in defeat. Gordon has been integrating steadily into Miami's offense, and this marked one of his more complete performances to date.

Justice Hill got an unexpected spotlight in Baltimore's 30-23 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football. With Lamar Jackson sidelined by an ankle injury, Hill logged early playing time over Derrick Henry — a rare occurrence that spoke to the coaching staff's trust in the OSU alum. Hill finished with 73 rushing yards and two receptions for five yards, a quiet but purposeful line in a Ravens win that kept their playoff hopes intact.

Mason Rudolph remains on the Steelers roster for now, though his future in Pittsburgh is uncertain. The veteran QB registered minus-2 rushing yards against Indianapolis and played a minimal role in the offense behind Rodgers. At least one NFL analyst has predicted the Steelers could move Rudolph before the trade deadline, a storyline worth monitoring as the season progresses.

Warren's historic afternoon is the undeniable headline, but this was a quietly productive week for OSU alumni across the league. Three Cowboys contributing in three different ways — a workhorse RB in Pittsburgh, an emerging runner in Miami, and a situational weapon in Baltimore — is the kind of week that makes Stillwater alumni sections very happy.

For Oklahoma State fans, the NFL rarely delivers a weekend like this one.

Chuba Hubbard and Ollie Gordon II — two Pokes running backs, two different NFL teams — each cracked 100 rushing yards in Week 4, giving Cowboys faithful a rare reason to split the screen and watch both games at once.

Hubbard Steals the SNF Spotlight

The bigger stage belonged to Hubbard, who turned in the best performance of the week in primetime. Playing on Sunday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, the Canadian-born back ran for 122 yards and punched in two touchdowns as the Carolina Panthers held on for a 32-26 win.

His first score — a 15-yard scamper — opened the scoring and gave Carolina an early 7-3 edge. His second, late in the game, pushed the Panthers' lead to 29-19 and proved to be the decisive blow. Hubbard also chipped in a reception for 7 yards, finishing as one of the Panthers' most dependable weapons on a night where quarterback Bryce Young and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan drew most of the headlines.

It was a complete, workhorse effort. In a game where Carolina needed someone to grind out yardage and keep Detroit's defense honest, Hubbard delivered — then delivered again.

Gordon Steps Up in Miami

A few hundred miles south, Ollie Gordon II was handling business of his own. The Dolphins' backfield entered Week 4 in flux after star running back De'Von Achane suffered a torn ACL the previous week, leaving Gordon and Jaylen Wright to share the load against the Minnesota Vikings.

Gordon answered the call. He rushed for 100 yards and found the end zone once, adding two receptions in the process. The Dolphins ultimately fell to the Vikings 15-10, but Gordon's performance established him as the lead option in Miami's backfield going forward — a role that could carry real fantasy and on-field weight for the rest of the season.

The Rest of the Pokes

Four OSU alumni appeared on the losing side of the Panthers-Lions game. Detroit's Amen Ogbongbemiga, Malcolm Rodriguez, Tyler Lacy, and Tay Martin were all in uniform for the Lions but couldn't prevent Carolina's upset. Stat lines for that group were not notable.

In Baltimore's 24-18 win over Tennessee, Justice Hill contributed modestly — 3 rushing yards and 22 receiving yards on two catches — serving in his customary role as a complementary back for the Ravens.

The headline, though, belongs to Hubbard and Gordon. Two Oklahoma State products, two 100-yard days, one weekend to be proud of in Stillwater. The Cowboys' pipeline to NFL backfields is producing — and both backs look positioned to keep producing as their teams lean on them heading into the meat of the season.