Lee Hunter

NFL Draft Profile: Lee Hunter

Position: Defensive Tackle (0/1-Tech) | School: Texas Tech (via UCF/Auburn) | Class: Senior

Height: 6'4" | Weight: 330 lbs | Archetype: Run Stopper

College Career Summary

Lee Hunter is a massive "space-eater" who has played at three different Power Four programs, finding his greatest success as a dominant interior force in the Big 12. After redshirting at Auburn, he spent three seasons at UCF, where he became one of the most productive run-stoppers in college football (leading all FBS interior defenders in run-defense stops between 2023–2024). In 2025, he transferred to Texas Tech for his final season, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors. Hunter is known for his "jarring" punch at the line of scrimmage and the lateral quickness to split double teams—rare for a man of his 330 lb stature.

Highlight Career Stats:

• Games Played: 50

• Total Tackles: 161

• Tackles For Loss (TFL): 29.0

• Sacks: 7.5

• 2025 Production: 34 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2.5 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble

2025 Season Game-by-Game Grades

Opponent	Stats	Grade	Key Performance Note
Ark-Pine Bluff	0.5 TFL	B	Controlled the middle in a blowout; played limited snaps.
Kent State	1 Tackle	B-	Efficient; did his job eating double teams to free up LBs.
Oregon State	0.5 TFL, 3 Tackles	B+	Strong anchor against a physical rushing attack.
@ No. 15 Utah	2 Tackles	B	High-IQ game; recognized several screen plays early.
@ Houston	3 Tackles	B	Solid but quiet; gap-disciplined performance.
Kansas	0.5 TFL, 4 Tackles	A-	Extremely disruptive; used "heavy hands" to discard blockers.
@ Arizona St.	1.0 TFL, 5 Tackles	A	Despite the loss, was a force in the run game; high motor.
Oklahoma St.	2 Tackles	B+	Shut down the interior run completely in a shutout win.
@ Kansas St.	1.0 TFL, 4 Tackles	A-	Violent disengagement led to a crucial 3rd-down stop.
No. 12 BYU	1.0 TFL, 3 Tackles	A	Physically dominated BYU's center; elite contact balance.
UCF	1.0 TFL, 2 Tackles	A-	Emotional game vs. former team; played with high Competitor drive.
@ West Virginia	2.0 TFL, 1 FF	A+	Season Best. Forced a fumble and lived in the backfield.
No. 12 BYU (Big 12 CC)	1.0 TFL, 1.0 Sack	A	Proved his pass-rush upside on a massive stage.

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Massive Power: Hunter possesses a "jarring" initial punch that can reset the line of scrimmage instantly. He is an elite anchor who is almost impossible to move 1-on-1.

• Agility for Size: For a 330 lb man, he is "quick like a cat." He shows the ability to split double teams and make tackles in pursuit—a trait often compared to Pro-Bowlers.

• Run Defense Production: His volume of "stops" (tackles for little to no gain) is elite. He doesn't just occupy space; he finds the ball carrier.

• Violent Hands: He uses precise, heavy hand strikes to disengage from blockers quickly, preventing interior linemen from latching onto his frame.

Weaknesses

• Pass Rush Profile: While he has improved, he remains primarily a power player. He lacks a diverse "tool bag" of finesse moves (swim/rip) and can get stalled if his bull-rush fails.

• Redirection: While quick in a straight line, he can struggle with sudden redirection against elite, shifty ball carriers in space.

• Consistency in Leverage: At 6'4", he can occasionally play with a high pad level, allowing smaller, squatter centers to get underneath him.

Scheme Fit: Ideal Nose Tackle (0/1-Tech) in a 3-4 or 4-3 "Under" system that values a dominant run-stuffer who can provide secondary interior pressure.

NFL Comparison: Vita Vea (Lite) / Grover Stewart

Scout’s Final Word & Projection

Intangibles: 18/20 | Physical Tools: 19/20 | Attributes: 17/20 | Athleticism: 17/20 | IQ: 16/20

Final Grade: 87/100

Lee Hunter is one of the most physically gifted "mammoth" prospects in the 2026 class. His transition to Texas Tech proved he could maintain elite production against top-tier competition. While he may be labeled a "specialist" by some because of his size, his tape shows an athlete who can stay on the field for three downs. He is a "plug-and-play" interior defender who will instantly improve any NFL team's run-stop percentage.

Draft Projection: 2nd - 3rd Round