Panthers land massive defensive force Lee Hunter in NFL Draft. Red Raiders unleash another NFL-ready talent, solidifying Texas Tech's draft prowess.
During Texas Tech's dominant run throughout much of last season, there was one thing pro scouts took notice of: the defensive line is filled with NFL-ready bodies.
And the big man in the middle that orchestrated much of that production for the Big 12 champs just found his next home.
Former Red Raiders defensive tackle Lee Hunter was picked by the Panthers with the No. 49 pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
He joins an impressive group of Red Raiders making the big move.
- David Bailey (Edge): Round 1, Pick 2 (No. 2 Overall) to the New York Jets.
- Jacob Rodriguez (LB): Round 2, Pick 11 (No. 43 Overall) to the Miami Dolphins.
- Lee Hunter (DT): Round 2, Pick 17 (No. 49 Overall) to the Carolina Panthers.
- Romello Height (Edge): Round 3, Pick 6 (No. 70 Overall) to the San Francisco 49ers.
- Caleb Douglas (WR):Round 3, Pick 11 (No. 75 Overall) to the Miami Dolphins.
Hunter is as sturdy as they come - measuring at 6-3, 318 pounds at the combine - and he played like it in his one season in Lubbock with Texas Tech.
The UCF transfer recorded 41 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. He anchored a unit that led the Big 12 in sacks, fumbles forced, and fumbles recovered. Overall, Texas Tech was one of the best scoring defenses in the country at just 11.8 opponent points per game.
But most of his highest-quality tape came from clogging rushing lanes for the nation's best defense against the ground game (68.1 yards per game allowed)
Hunter first started putting scouts on notice during the pre-draft process when the senior mauler competed in the Senior Bowl.
"He’s a powerful yet athletic 320-pound interior defensive lineman who consistently pushed blockers off the line, collapsed the pocket, and held his ground during two-on-one drills," Especially Sports noted at the showcase.
"Yet Hunter also moves well around the field and quickly changes direction, gets down the line of scrimmage, and covers area laterally. He also plays with a great pad level and gets leverage on opponents, which enables him to hold the point. Entering the season graded as a last-round pick by scouts, Hunter is cementing himself as a Day 2 selection."
He graded out as an "eventual starter" on NFL.com's prospect profile, but he stacked up among the best at his position. The AP Third Team All-American ranked as the No. 1 defensive tackle in production and No. 3 in total score at this year's combine.
"Hunter is a two-gapping nose tackle for odd or even fronts," his scouting report said. "He has the size, strength, and length to do battle in the heart of the trenches but requires better block take-on technique to sit firmer in his grass. He won’t win in the gaps, but he can stack and shed single blocks or slide and stabilize his run fit against zone blocks.
"Hunter’s girth and length are advantages when aligning over the center as a run defender. He doesn’t have enough quickness or skill as a rusher to see many passing downs, but he can dent the pocket with his power. Hunter projects as an early down space-eater who can make interior offensive linemen work for their gaps."
He's yet another Red Raider moving on from one of Tech's best defenses ever to the professional ranks.
