Jalen Hunt

Jalen Hunt grew up in the Detroit area and starred as a running back in youth football. As he grew, he shifted positions and eventually landed on the defensive line at Belleville High School (where he also saw snaps at running back). As a senior, he posted 24 tackles for loss and 11 sacks to earn all-state honors. A three-star recruit, Hunt originally signed with Iowa but found out he hadn’t qualified academically. He considered going to junior college but instead took an online summer class to gain eligibility, then signed with Michigan State. He spent most of his time in East Lansing as a backup, and injuries left him feeling unwanted by the Spartans. He transferred to Cincinnati, where he missed the 2024 season because of a knee injury suffered in fall camp. But he returned healthy as a seventh-year senior and had his best season. For a 300-pounder, Hunt has impressive movement ability to find his way to the football. He has the run-defending instincts to defeat pins/seals and create disruption in gaps. He needs to improve his ability to answer double teams, but flashes violence in his hands to create pocket push versus base blocks. He disengages quickly and doesn’t lose containment. His body of work is underwhelming as only a one-year starter, but he stayed healthy as a senior (41.2 defensive snaps per game) and finally had his breakout showing in 2025. Overall, Hunt probably won’t be drafted because of his age and medical history, but he carries his weight surprisingly well and has the talent to turn heads on a practice squad.