Erick Hunter

Erick Hunter
No. 49 – New England Patriots
PositionLinebacker
Roster statusActive
Personal information
Born (2003-02-26) February 26, 2003 (age 23)
Capitol Heights, Maryland, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolWestlake (Waldorf, Maryland)
CollegeMorgan State (2021–2025)
NFL draft2026: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics as of 2026
Total tackles3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Erick Hunter (born February 26, 2003) is an American professional football linebacker for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Morgan State Bears.

Early life

Hunter attended Westlake High School in Waldorf, Maryland, and committed to play college football for the Morgan State Bears.

College career

Hunter played college football at Morgan State from 2021 to 2025, finishing second in school history with 298 tackles in 45 games. In 2025, when he recorded 102 tackles with 14 for a loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, a pass deflection, an interception, and a touchdown. Hunter earned first-team all-conference honors and FCS all-American honors.[by whom?] After the 2025 season, Hunter declared for the NFL draft.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+3⁄8 in
(1.89 m)		224 lb
(102 kg)		33+1⁄8 in
(0.84 m)		10+3⁄8 in
(0.26 m)		6 ft 7 in
(2.01 m)		4.48 s1.57 s2.62 s4.21 s7.40 s37.0 in
(0.94 m)		10 ft 10 in
(3.30 m)		16 reps
All values from HBCU Combine

Detroit Lions

After going unselected in the 2026 NFL draft, Hunter signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent. On August 30, 2026, he was waived by the Lions as a part of final roster cuts.

New England Patriots

On September 1, Hunter signed with the New England Patriots.

References

  1. ↑ Gaither, Steven (April 1, 2026). "NFL prospect Erick Hunter runs blazing time for linebacker". HBCU Gameday. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  2. ↑ Richman, Jacob. "How a small-school linebacker is proving he belongs with the Lions". MLive.com. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  3. ↑ Payton, Mike. "New Lions undrafted rookie Erick Hunter is 'more athletic and a better player than Alex Anzalone was coming into the league' – How the Lions might have pulled off a heist with this HBCU standout". A to Z Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  4. ↑ Thompson, Adam. "Morgan State's Erick Hunter gets NFL chance as undrafted free agent with Detroit Lions". CBS News. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  5. ↑ Marshall, Kendrick. "2026 NFL Draft: Erick Hunter is a name NFL mock drafts like". HBCU Sports. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Erick Hunter College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 17, 2026.
  7. ↑ Silva, Richard. "Lions UDFA linebacker gaining momentum ahead of preseason opener". The Detroit News. Retrieved August 17, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Lions announce roster moves". DetroitLions.com. Retrieved August 31, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Patriots Sign C Ben Brown and LB Erick Hunter to the 53-Man Roster". Patriots.com. Retrieved September 1, 2026.