Erick Hunter: The HBCU Star the Lions Are Betting On After the Draft
Overlooked in the draft but impossible to ignore on tape, Erick Hunter arrives in Detroit with elite production, game-changing instincts, and a chip on his shoulder—exactly the kind of under-the-radar defender the Lions love to bet on.
The Detroit Lions took a swing on one of the most productive defenders in HBCU football when they signed linebacker Erick Hunter as an undrafted free agent. While he didn’t hear his name called during the 2026 NFL Draft, Hunter arrives in Detroit with a résumé that suggests he has a real chance to stick—thanks to elite production, big-game moments, and a decorated college career at Morgan State Bears football. Hunter’s final season in 2025 was nothing short of dominant.
He started all 12 games and led the MEAC with 102 total tackles, including 53 solo stops. He added 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, and an interception—stuffing the stat sheet in every possible way. Those numbers didn’t just lead his team—they made him one of the most productive linebackers in the entire FCS.
That production earned him a long list of accolades. Hunter was named a Stats Perform FCS All-American, a First-Team All-MEAC selection, and a finalist for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the top defensive player in the FCS. He was also a two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Year and received multiple HBCU All-American honors, solidifying his status as one of the top defenders in HBCU football.
But Hunter’s impact goes beyond one season. Over his college career, he played 45 games and totaled 298 tackles, 35 tackles for loss, and 10. 5 sacks, finishing second all-time in tackles in program history.