Hu has had the good fortune to remain healthy throughout his Harvard career. But during camp two weeks ago, he pulled a hamstring and has been practicing gingerly ever since.
"That put a lot of things in perspective," he said. "The possibility of injury scares me. What if I can't play? But if I think about it, I'll get hurt. Not getting injured depends on your level of confidence."
Hu hopes to work in business after graduation as a prelude to business school. He'll also spend time trying to stay in shape.
"If there's one thing I'm afraid of, it's getting fat," Hu says emphatically. "I never want to go downstairs [to the Leverett dining hall] and order a veggie burger so I don't get fat."
But for now, his focus is only on the football season, and the Ivy League championship ring that he hopes is in the team's future.
"Last year, I was the one who got all the press," Hu says. "But who can I share that with? The joy of football is sharing success with your closest friends, your teammates."