'Never Give Up': Texans Rookie WR Xavier Hutchinson Is A JUCO Inspiration
HOUSTON — Blinn College, a JUCO university in Texas, has a list of alumni who have left their mark in the NFL. Arguably, the most famous player who made the NFL following a short stay at Blinn is Cam Newton.
The former Buccaneers' quarterback reached the pinnacle of football in 2016 with a trip to Super Bowl 50 amid his MVP campaign with the Carolina Panthers.
Although Newton became the top college prospect in 2010 during his lone season at Auburn University, the three-time Pro Bowler always credited Blinn College for laying the foundation for his NFL career.
Over a decade later, the Houston Texans took a chance on a Blinn College alumnus. The Texans drafted wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson with the No. 205 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. And similar to Newton, Hutchinson says his time at Blinn College has shaped who he is as a person on and off the field.
"The journey was great for me; it taught me a lot of life's lessons," Hutchinson said. "It taught me to never give up on yourself and believe in yourself. Not everything is always going to go your way. But the one thing you can control is the work that you put in."
Hutchinson spent two seasons at Blinn before transferring to Iowa State in 2020. His time in Brenham helped hone his skill set, which later led to three consecutive All-Big 12 honors as a member of the Hawkeyes.
But taking care of life's business was one of the biggest lessons Hutchinson learned while at Blinn. Hutchinson said he missed-handled his business as a three-star high school prospect, and his mistakes led him to Blinn.
Hutchinson described receiving his draft day call by the Texans as a "full-circle moment," given that his path to the NFL began in Texas.
The Jacksonville native is looking forward to playing alongside quarterback C.J. Stroud during the 2023 campaign. But ahead of his rookie campaign, Hutchinson wants to share his story with other JUCO players in hopes of becoming an inspiration like Newton 12 years ago.
"Giving back is huge for me," Hutchinson said. "I know it is not easy. All they need is one role model who has gone through the same path as them, to show it can be done.
"It's not the immediate path to where they want to be. But it is not a pit either. It is something to be happy and blessed about. It is something that can help you become the player that you want to be."
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