2024 NFL Draft Profile: Georgia State LB Jontrey Hunter

In the transfer portal era, it's not common to see a player spend six years at one school. However, that's what you get in standout Georgia State linebacker Jontrey Hunter. 

Hunter was a staple of the Shawn Elliott era at Georgia State, getting better and better as he became a bigger piece of the Georgia State defense.

These are the other important things to know about the versatile defender.

Background

Measurements: 6' 1 7/8" - 236 pounds

From the talent-rich area of Tampa, Florida, Hunter played at Sickles High School and earned a spot in the Tampa Bay Times' Top-100 prospects coming out of his prep days. 

Hunter had a place within Georgia State football right away. As a true freshman, he played in 11 games in 2018 picking up nine tackles. He redshirted in 2019, but bounced back as an even bigger contributor in 2020 with 33 tackles and a part in forcing five turnovers.

The Georgia State staffed move him around a bit in terms of positioning, but he always seemed to find a way to contribute. As a three-year starter and a five-year letter winner, Hunter finished his six-year college career in 2023 with 234 total tackles, including 22.5 for a loss and six sacks. He also finished with three interceptions and seven forced fumbles. In 2023, his only season as an All-Sun Belt selection, Hunter had perhaps his most consistent season with a career-high 96 tackles. He had seven tackles and a forced fumble at LSU that season.

RELATED: 2024 NFL Draft Profile: Wyoming LB Easton Gibbs

The Strengths

Hunter's quite good at making plays in the open field. He does a nice job of breaking down and putting emphasis on wrapping up the ball carrier, where others may try to go for a bigger hit but lose their balance and miss a tackle in the process.

He's a good run stopper, as well. Looking back over his college tape, there's not many instances of him not filling gaps correctly. In that tape, you'll also see many instances of him keeping mobile quarterbacks fairly contained. In the NFL, that skill will be particularly useful.