HUMBOLDT ? Standing at 6?6? and weighing 265 pounds, Humboldt?s Josh Hull has the physique to compete on football?s grandest stage. The senior standout was key to the Cubs? advancement to the sectional round of the 2A state playoffs, losing to eventual champion Nemaha Central.
While Hull?s career on the gridiron strapped in the orange and black has come to an end, new chapters await. Hull has garnered interest from top college programs in Kansas, including Emporia State University, and Kansas University.
?Playing in the state of Kansas would be cool, and it would be an honor to play at the University of Kansas,? Hull said.
Hull has made two unofficial visits to the land of the Jayhawks. In his most recent visit, Hull had the opportunity to talk with head coach Les Miles. At the moment, Kansas has offered Hull a preferred walk-on opportunity and the chance to blueshirt. If blueshirted, Hull will enroll in classes for the summer and wait to receive his scholarship in the fall to count as the 2021 recruiting class.
?I went up there when they played K-State and had just talked to the recruiting director along with briefly texting the offensive line coach before my visit,? Hull said. ?When I went, I thought I?m just here because I live in Kansas, and didn?t think much about it. Then, I talked to the o-line coach, and we hit it off. He likes to hunt, and I like to hunt. He is from a rural state, South Dakota, and so am I. I feel like we have really two of the same guys.?
Co-defensive coordinator Mike Loporto and offensive line coach Tony Koeling from Emporia State also have been in frequent contact with Hull and have offered a scholarship. Hull is scheduled to make an official visit in January. Loporto is due to visit Hull today.
While Hull has his future to muddle over, he still has time to reflect on the past. A three-year starter for the Cubs, Hull worked to improve over the course of his career. Entering his freshman year, Hull stood at 6?2? weighing 175 pounds, far from the height and bulk he possesses today. Playing on the JV, Hull dreamed of one say shining on the field at the varsity level.
?Coach Wyrick came to me at the end of the season and said ?Josh, if you want to play next year, you have to pack on some weight,? Hull said. ?I was thinking he meant 15 pounds, but then I was lifting with coach?s cousin, and he told me coach wanted me at 230.?
Hull?s sophomore summer consisted of lifting weights five times a week and consuming lots of protein. At one point, Hull?s diet consisted of seven eggs for breakfast along with an abundance of different meats and cheeses.
Clearly, the offseason work paid off for Hull, who has raised his max to 300 on bench, 425 on squat, and 300 on powerclean. On the field this past season, Hull earned 38 tackles with 10 of them accounting for loss. Against Central Heights, Hull plunged into the endzone from one yard out to claim his only career touchdown… Not too shabby for a big guy!
Although the Cubs advanced to the 2A state semifinals his junior season, nothing can replace the memories in his last hoorah.
Josh Hull make a tackle in the backfield against Nemaha Central in the sectional round of the 2A state playoffs on Nov. 15. REGISTER/ERICK MITCHELL
?Being a captain, walking out there with my squad, leading them onto the field, and breaking it down at the 50-yard line was magical. I personally don?t think I will ever feel anything like that again,? Hull said.
