Texas Tech's Lee Hunter brings Big 12 power to the defensive line. Could this disruptive force fit the Jaguars' draft strategy?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have 11 picks in this year’s draft, and if they want a defensive tackle, one of the best hails from the Big 12.
Jaguars Roundtable is checking out a range of prospects in the Class of 2026 who might mesh with Jacksonville's current roster, coaching staff, and the team's X's and O's.
Offensive position players will be a focal point for the Jags, and NFL draft prospect profiles will feature offensive linemen Isaiah World out of Oregon and Penn State's Drew Shelton, as well as running back prospects Le'Veon Moss from Texas A&M, Mike Washington Jr. out of Arkansas, and Washington's Jonah Coleman. The Jaguars could also consider adding depth at tight end with either Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers or Oscar Delp out of Georgia, at receiver with Southern Cal's Ja'Kobi Lane and at running back with Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price.
Defenders profiled in the series include elite linebackers the likes of Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels, Oregon's Bryce Boettcher, and Anthony Hill Jr. out of Texas, along with cornerbacks D'Angelo Ponds out of Indianaand Arizona State's Keith Abney, along with Cincinatti nose tackle Dontay Corleone, Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas, Iowa State defensive tackle Domonique Orange, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson and Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
In this draft profile, we shine a spotlight on Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter.
Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter (2) celebrates after a defensive stop against the Oregon Ducks during the first half of the Red Raiders' loss to the Ducks in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026 in Miami, Florida. (Sam Navarro/Imagn Images)Big and Tall
At 6-foot-3 and 318 pounds with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Hunter has used his size to become one of the best college defensive tackles in the country.
Texas Tech's Lee Hunter walks to the field before the Big 12 championship game on Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. (Nathan Giese/Imagn Images)Background & College Career
The Mobile, Alabama, native played at three schools over five seasons. He started his career at Auburn, where he redshirted the 2021 season. From there, he transferred to UCF, where he played the next three years. In 2022, he played 13 games as a reserve. The next season, he became a regular starter and All-Big 12 honorable mention. Hunter ended 2023 with 69 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup.
Hunter progressed to second-team All-Big 12 in 2024, ending the year with 45 tackles, one sack and 9.5 tackles for loss.
He spent last season at Texas Tech, where he earned third-team All-American honors. He was also a first-team All-Big 12 performer, starting all 14 of Tech’s games and helping Texas Tech to a Big 12 Championship for the first time, and a College Football Playoff appearance, another first for the Raiders.
Hunter ended his last college season with 41 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.
UCF DT Lee Hunter Chases Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt during the Knights' 35-31 loss at ASU Saturday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Patrick Breen/Imagn Images)On-Field Strengths
Every year of Hunter’s college football career was an improvement over the last one. He progressed from redshirt to contributor to starter to all-conference to, finally, All-American.
Hunter’s run defense was a catalyst for his success. Over his last two seasons at UCF, Hunter combined for 61 run stops per Pro Football Focus.
His size is a big reason for his success in stuffing the run, but so is his wingspan.
Hunter’s long arms allow him to fill up the middle, which makes running backs have to choose between cutting back and taking a tackle for loss.
Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter during this year's NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)Areas for Improvement
Hunter’s pass rushing numbers didn’t pop off, ending his career with just 7.5 sacks.
Although Hunter’s size is a great asset, one possible danger that comes with that is him relying on it too much and not being able to hone his technique to adjust to NFL double teams.
As NFL.com’s scouting report noted, Hunter might not be a three-down defensive tackle, but rather utilized for early downs.
Combine Performance
NFL.com gave him a production score of 82, which ranked first of any defensive tackle.
Hunter ran the 40-yard dash in 5.18 seconds, which is around average for defensive tackle. His vertical jump of 21.5 inches was below average for a DT, and his broad jump of 8 feet, 4 inches was right around on average.
Although Hunter impressed with his physical build and lateral quickness, his skills numbers might knocked him out of the first round.
Prospect Draft Position
The Mock Draft Database has Hunter as the No. 50 overall prospect, which would put him in the second round.
Several mock drafts tallied for the database, which include outlets such as CBS Sports, NFL.com and Fox Sports, have Hunter going in the first round.
Jacksonville doesn’t have a first-round pick this year, so if Lee Hunter is indeed a first-round talent, the Jags would have to make a trade to get him.
Jacksonville had the top-ranked run defense in the NFL last season and didn’t lose anybody of significance in the middle.
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