Sportsvival turns its season‑end scouting lens to defensive playmakers for the 2026 NFL Draft; today’s profile spotlights Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter, a 6’4”, 325‑pound interior force who parlayed stops at Auburn- UCF and Texas Tech into a 2025 season that reinforced his reputation as a powerful two‑gap run‑stuffer with interior pass‑rush upside. Hunter’s combination of anchor, suddenness off the snap, and consistent tackle production makes him an intriguing mid‑round to early Day‑2 prospect with clear starter upside in the right scheme.
Texas Tech, DL, Lee Hunter- 6’4”, 325 lbs.
Background and Recruit Profile
High School: From Mobile, Alabama; a physically advanced interior lineman who earned early college attention for his size and strength.
Recruiting: Rated a three‑star recruit with developmental upside; earned early playing time at Auburn before transferring to UCF and later to Texas Tech to showcase his ability against Power Five competition.
College path: Auburn-UCF-Texas Tech, with each stop showing growth in technique, snap volume, and production.
Physical Profile and Measurables
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 325 lbs.
Frame: Thick, compact base with wide shoulders and a low center of gravity; projects to add NFL functional strength while retaining initial quickness.
Athletic Traits: Explosive first step for an interior lineman, strong hip sink to anchor against double teams, and short‑area burst to penetrate gaps on passing downs.
College Career and Production
Auburn (early career): Limited rotational snaps while developing technique and strength; contributed on special teams and in rotational packages.
UCF (2023–2024):
2023: 69 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 6 tackles for loss — emerged as a high‑volume interior tackler and reliable run defender.
2024: 45 tackles, 1.0 sack, 4 tackles for loss — maintained production despite schematic changes and increased attention from opponents.
Texas Tech (2025): 41 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 5 tackles for loss — finished the year as a consistent interior disruptor, showing improved hand usage and more frequent penetration on passing downs.
Career totals (through 2025): 155 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble — a body of work that reflects steady growth and adaptability across three programs.
Strengths
Power and anchor: Holds ground against double teams and controls interior gaps on early downs.
Tackle production: Regularly among team leaders for interior stops; finishes plays with authority.
Interior burst: Quick first step allows him to penetrate A‑gaps and collapse pockets on stunts and twists.
High motor: Plays through contact and sustains effort on second‑level tackles.
Weaknesses
Pass‑rush polish: Needs a wider array of counters, hand techniques, and bend to win consistently against NFL interior linemen.
Lateral agility: Not a natural sideline chaser; can be slow to recover on plays that stretch the defense horizontally.
Scheme specificity: Projects best as a 3‑tech/1‑tech in gap‑control or one‑gap systems rather than as a true nose in every front.
Conditioning and snap endurance: Could refine conditioning and leverage to sustain high snap counts at the next level.
Player Profile and Projection
Draft Projection: Day‑2 pick (late second to early fourth round) depending on combine testing and medicals.
Role Projection: Immediate rotational interior defensive tackle with early‑down run‑stopping duties and situational pass‑rush snaps; clear path to three‑down starter in run‑heavy or gap‑control schemes.
Ceiling: High‑end starting interior rusher who can consistently collapse pockets and anchor against the run.
Floor: Reliable early‑down starter and rotational pass‑rush option who brings toughness and gap integrity.
Pro Comparison
Christian Barmore. Like Barmore, Hunter pairs interior size with a sudden first step and the ability to disrupt plays up the middle. Both win with power and initial quickness and require refinement in pass‑rush technique to reach their highest ceilings. Hunter projects as a similar type of interior disruptor who can change blocking schemes and create opportunities for teammates.
Sportsvival view and risks
Sportsvival views Lee Hunter as a productive, physical interior prospect whose multi‑program experience (Auburn, UCF, Texas Tech) demonstrates adaptability and steady improvement. Teams that prioritize interior push and early‑down control will find immediate value; his draft stock will rise with strong combine strength and agility numbers and clearer evidence of refined pass‑rush moves. Primary risks are scheme dependency and the need for technical polish, both addressable with NFL coaching, making Hunter a compelling Day‑2 target with legitimate starter upside.
(photo courtesy of 247Sports)