In today’s NFL, the most valued position is naturally quarterback, for obvious reasons. While passers come first, pass rushers are also right up there on the list of positions prioritized. Pass defenders and pass blockers aren’t far behind, and that’s where Nate Hobbs, the Las Vegas Raiders second year cornerback comes in.
The University of Illinois alumnus started at cornerback for the silver and black, in week one, where he participated in 66 defensive and nine special teams snaps while recording nine tackles including two TFLs, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble in the Raiders’ 24-19 loss to the division rival Los Angeles Chargers.
. Because after all, if we may quote classic vintage NFL Films, “the autumn wind is a raider, pillaging just for fun. He’ll knock you round, and upside down, and laugh when he’s conquered and won.” (To be read in John Facenda voice)
A big component of consequence here will be Nate Hobbs and the secondary- can they contain Kyler Murray enough to get the W? Hobbs, the 167th pick overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, selected in the fifth round out of Illinois, made the PFF All-Rookie Team last season.
He’s one of 14 former Illini currently active on NFL rosters. You also have three more on NFL practice squads and another two on injured reserve. Nate Hobbs is among the most high profile, if not the headliner, ex-Illini in the league right now. The Louisville, Kentucky native was a part of some really bad defenses in college, on some pretty awful teams.
Not his fault though, so don’t blame him. Former defensive coordinator Hardy Nickerson, and eventually former head coach Lovie Smith, inevitably got sacked for their dismal defensive disasters in Champaign. That said, Smith actually failed upward, now possessing the Houston Texans head job.
Circle the date, Oct. 23, when Lovie Smith and Nate Hobbs reunite, as the Raiders will host the Texans on that date.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Bank (TheSportsBank.Net) and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.