Scouts saw Lee Hunter's immense size and infectious energy. The Panthers secured a massive talent who embodies a winning teammate's spirit.
The Carolina Panthers should feel good about what they did in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Panthers boosted their trenches in the first two rounds, adding Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeing in the first round and Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter in the second round.
The Panthers aren't sure how many of their picks will be Day 1 starters this fall. However, the players they picked will add serious competition, something that will help a team that made the wild-card round in January.
Hunter could wind up being a steal for the Panthers in the second round.
Panthers Southwest scout Caden McCloughan told reporters he first noticed the size of Hunter when he met him in person. He wanted to add the six-foot-three, 318-pound lineman to Carolina's already behemoth defensive line.
"I'll tell you what, when you see Lee, the first thing that stands out is just how big he is," McCloughan said, via the Panthers.
"I mean, he's a massive human being and, yeah, I mean, you get up on him, and it's hard not to think about what that would look like next to Derrick Brown and Bobby Brown III."
Hunter will fit right into defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's scheme.
The Panthers also believe he'll fit in the locker room.
"The more you get to watch him and then be around him, talk to people in the school—I had a lot of chances to interact with him and others that were close to him and just, I remember being excited after every one of those, just how people talked about him, how great of a guy he is, how much energy he brings, just a guy that truly loves football," said McCloughan.
"It's hard to find guys that look like that physically, but then at the same time, have the makeup that he does, just being a great teammate, showing up to work, excited every day, caring about others."
Hunter played three years at UCF before transferring to Texas Tech. He recorded 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss for the Red Raiders in 2025.
Hunter has the size to be an impact player right away for the Panthers, and could be a key rotational player for a team looking to make a deep run in the postseason.