Lee Hunter NFL Draft Scouting Report

Texas Tech's Lee Hunter is one of the top interior defensive line prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft, with a combination of size, strength and power that makes him a dominant run-stuffer. He brings surprising juice as an inside pass rusher for a nose tackle, and after a stellar 2025 campaign for the Red Raiders, Hunter could sneak into the first round.

Here's everything NFL fans need to know about Hunter heading into this year's draft:

Lee Hunter's Vitals

Height: 6-4

Weight: 325

Age: 23

Lee Hunter's Strengths

A dominant anchor in the middle, Hunter’s ability to destroy the line of scrimmage was a huge reason why the Red Raiders were one of the nation’s best defenses in 2025. A massive mauler at the point of attack, Hunter does all the things you’d expect from an elite prospect as a true nose tackle, commanding double-teams and ripping right through them on his way to the ball carrier. He consistently blows up running plays in the backfield, and shows impressive explosiveness and athleticism for his size, providing valuable juice as an interior pass rusher. He can easily throw opposing blockers out of the club if they dare take him on 1-on-1, and he plays with solid effort for all four quarters.

Lee Hunter's Weaknesses

Hunter’s vertical explosiveness and power give him pleasantly surprising value in the pass rush, but his array of moves still needs a ton of development if he wants to maintain that level of success against NFL competition. His first step can be explosive and powerful at times, but his get-off is inconsistent, showing a tendency to pop up high out of his stance and get caught trying to diagnose the backfield instead of trying to quickly force his way into the action.

Final Analysis

It’s not easy to find nose tackles with true three-down appeal, but Hunter checks those boxes. He still needs some development in terms of his pass rush technique and pad level consistency, but all the physical traits are there for him to be an every-down monster in the middle, and he’s got the toughness and motor to set the tone for any defensive front.

2026 NFL Draft Projection: 2nd Round