APOne of the more impressive performances this week at the NFL combine belongs to a guy who has only been playing football for the last few seasons.
Defensive end Margus Hunt from SMU only took up football in 2009 but according to Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, Hunt had one of the more impressive workouts this weekend in Indianapolis. Hunt was “the talk of the town” after his workout on Monday.
The 6-foot-8, 277 pound defensive end was among the leaders for defensive linemen in the bench press and 40-yard dash. Hunt completed 38 reps of 225 pounds, which matched Brandon Williams from Missouri Southern State for most reps among any participant at the combine. Hunt also ran a 4.60 in the 40-yard dash which was tied for third-best among linemen. Only Trevardo Wiilliams from Connecticut (4.57) and Barkevious Mingo from LSU (4.58) posted faster times.
Hunt is one of the more interesting prospects in the upcoming draft. He’s only been playing football since 2009 after joining the football program at SMU. The Estonian native was originally an accomplished track and field athlete. Hunt won gold medals in the shot put and discus in the 2006 World Junior Track and Field Championships in Beijing. He also won the discus title at the European Junior championships in 2005.
Hunt is currently considered to be a likely second day draft pick but could see his stock rise after his strong showing at the combine. Despite his lack of football experience, Hunt’s raw athletic ability and size should be incredibly intriguing to personnel directors in the NFL. New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was also considered to be fairly raw when coming out of South Florida in 2010. Pierre-Paul has since become one of the more dynamic pass rushers in the league. If Hunt can continue to progress as a football player, Hunt has the ability to become a surprise star in the NFL.
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Come to Seattle big boy! Go Hawks
Anyone else see the clip of this guy getting driven back 20 yds off the ball at the senior bowl?
Pick 31 we are waiting and hoping Margus
Freak athlete. This guy will be a great value pick. With Paul Kruger possibly leaving this guy would be intriguing in Baltimore.
Mike Mamula or Jason Pierre-Paul?
I think the Raiders should really consider trading down and considering Hunt. Major team need and the kid is a beast.
Raiders never have to trade down.. They are top 10 pick every year lol.. Margus wasn’t expected to go before that anyways
like the nba jerry west pic. that is a rushman striking
hoping that he still falls to the second round and the Jags pick him up!
But raiders can get star or sharif.. I would get star.. Besides all this medical stuff he is a beast and he’s cleared anyway.. That’s who they should pick to fill d line void
Jets, please take him
this guy blocked a ton of field goals and extra points. he swats a lot of passes down as well should be interesting to see if he’s able to get by around or through nfl offensive lineman. Running and jumping in shorts doesn’t quite equate to sunday afternoon action in the nfl. We’ll see?
First round talent but inexperience makes him a possible 2nd rounder.
Sounds exactly like my Hawks type of pick we put these players in position to Excell immediately while perfecting the craft fills our depth issue with some immediate impact.
Our puck if someone doesn’t snag him before us with the same idea.
How about a little love for Devin Taylor. He is the size of Hunt, put up equal or better combine numbers overall and is a couple of years younger. Bigger than Ansah with better numbers.
Look at that picture in the article.. he’s a New England Patriot.
But how does he translate the athletic ability to the football field? There’s something to be said for football instincts.
From what I’ve read about this guy he is a gym rat and a very hard worker. If he busts in the NFL it won’t be due to lack of effort.
He is old for a rookie, he’ll be 26 by the time the season starts. That could push him down a couple of draft boards.
He will fall to the Falcons at 30
He’ll be 26 in July, which is the age most players are at when they’re 4 years in the league and due their first free agent contract
Green Bay will grab him in the first round.
No mention of the fact that the dude blocked 17 kicks in his three years of playing college football? If a guy could block just two or so kicks a year in the pros, wouldn’t basically swing a win on its own every year?
I think most importantly, Hunt is 26. Overaged prospects drop like stones.
The guy has played a total of 4 years of football in his entire life, give him a little slack. Definitely a project with a huge upside. Excellent work ethic and very smart guy. Weaknesses I have seen – he is not consistent. Not sure if that is due to injuries or what but he wasn’t too dominant against better teams.
Any team that takes a 26 year old rookie in round 1 is stupid. He is a 3rd rounder in my book. Great athlete, overaged, bad tape. He was downright out of place at the Senior Bowl. He didn’t belong. By the time he figures out the NFL, he’ll be into his 30′s.
I’d rather have Datone Jones or That huge Nose Tackle – Johnathan Jenkins … a younger football player.
Check out this guy’s highlight tape. His athleticism translates to the field and he can hit. He’s not making it out of the 1st round. Trust me. Probably the best pure athlete in this draft.
I’d love it if Oakland could trade back and get him.
Actually, even if we can’t trade back, I’d love it if McKenzie would show he has a set and take him at 3.