2026 NFL Scouting Report: Lee Hunter

Lee Hunter, 6-3/320
Defensive Tackle
Texas Tech

Lee Hunter Scouting Report

By Charlie Campbell

Strengths:

Tough run stuffing nose tackle
Good initial quickness off the ball
Lateral quickness
Powerful bull rush
Can get a push powering through blockers
Can help collapse the pocket
Quick to close
Athletic enough to redirect
Good lateral anchor
Hard to move at the point of attack
Holds his gap
Absorbs double teams
Very tough, plays hard
Disruptive run defender
Strong hands
Uses hands and feet at same time
Can get a push working upfield
Ready to compete quickly

Weaknesses:

Could have some limitations as a pass rusher for the NFL
Conditioning could be an issue to monitor at the pro level

Prospect Summary:

Hunter was at Auburn in 2021 before playing three seasons at UCF. He had 44 tackles with one sack in 2024 and 69 tackles with three sacks in 2023. In 2025, Hunter finished out his collegiate career with Texas Tech, and he had an excellent season with the Red Raiders. In 2025, Hunter totaled 41 tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. After the season, he had an impressive week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

In the ground game, Hunter is a tough defender. He is very stout at the point of attack. When runs come downhill at him, he is able to anchor and hold his ground. He also shows the strength to shed and tackle. Routinely, Hunter pushes his way into the backfield to disrupt runs and resets the line of scrimmage. His lateral anchor is advanced for a college player, as he is tough to move at the point of attack. Hunter is very strong to take on double-team bump blocks and hold his ground when getting hit from the side. Hunter is a very good run defender entering the NFL.

As a pass rusher, Hunter has some ability to get a push into the backfield with his power. Hunter can seriously bull rush to help collapse the pocket and take away space to step up in the pocket. He is limited from a speed and athleticism perspective to be a dangerous pass rusher that firest a gap and darts past guards in the NFL. As a pro, he could be rotated out of the game for a significant amount of sub-package plays. If Hunter had more pass-rush ability, he would have been a definite first-round pick.

In the 2026 NFL Draft, Hunter could be selected in the first or second round. Check out where we currently have him projected in my latest 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

Prospect Comparison:

Kenny Clark. Hunter’s size, power, quickness, and athelticism reminds me of Clark. Clark was a late first-rounder, and Hunter could get selected in that range.