Lee Hunter
Experience
POSITION STATS LAST SEASON
Position-Specific Grades
COMBINE RESULTS
The Takeaway
The Player
Hunter is a big, productive nose tackle and a stout run defender with good size and length. He shoots his hands, presses blockers off his frame, tracks the ball, and disengages in time to make plays. He drives centers into the backfield. He is big and strong enough to occupy double-teams without giving up much ground and quick enough to split blockers and slip some blocks. His short-area closing burst is good for his size.
He spent one season at Auburn and three seasons at UCF before transferring to Texas Tech in 2025. He made 146 tackles over the past three seasons, including 30 TFL. He led all FBS interior defenders in run-defense stops and tackles for loss or no gain over his final two seasons at UCF, according to Pro Football Focus. Some of his most impressive tape last season came in the CFP against Oregon, when he had five solo tackles. He’s more disruptive rushing the passer than his statistical production would suggest. His hands are active and powerful, and he sets up his moves. He can do a better job of getting off blocks at the top of his bull rush, but he’s strong enough to push the pocket and move the quarterback off his spot. He keeps working when he doesn’t win with his first move.
He doesn’t close well enough to develop into an elite interior pass rusher. He’s tight, and it hinders his ability to finish. He’s a better football player than athlete, and his jumps at the combine raise some concerns about his lower-body explosiveness. His 21.5-inch vertical is a red flag. It was the worst vertical posted by a defensive tackle by more than 5 inches. He also tied for the worst broad jump posted by a defensive tackle.
The Draft
Hunter is a top-five defensive tackle in this year’s class. He is one of three Texas Tech defenders who could get drafted in the top 50 picks, which has never happened before. In fact, the Red Raiders haven’t had three players drafted in the same year since 2016.
The Projection
Hunter is a scheme-versatile nose tackle who should push for a starting role as a rookie. A’Shawn Robinson was another productive and versatile defensive tackle in college who tested similarly to Hunter at his combine, and he has started 112 games in his 10-year career.