Jalyx Hunt 2024 NFL Draft Overview
Height: Six-foot-four
Weight: 252 pounds
Position: EDGE
School: Houston Christian
2024 NFL Draft: Jalyx Hunt Scouting Report
Quite possibly the first non-FBS name to be called in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jalyx Hunt has had quite the journey at the FCS level. Initially, Hunt was a safety with Cornell and appeared in seven games as a reserve safety and special teams player in his first year in 2019. In total, he managed three tackles. Then, the Ivy League elected to not play football in 2020, so he had to wait another year to make a larger impact.
And a larger impact he made. Hunt appeared in all 10 games with at least one start. In total, he amassed 26 tackles and added a fumble recovery, a pass breakup, and he even blocked a kick. Following the 2021 season, Hunt decided to hop into the Transfer Portal landed at Houston Christian, and made the position change. In his first season with the Huskies, he accounted for 87 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two recovered fumbles. He led the conference in tackles for loss and sacks.
He was just as dominant in 2023. In his final year, Hunt tallied 46 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, an interception, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles, and another blocked kick. For his efforts, Hunt received First-Team All-Southland Conference honors as well as SLC Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award for the best defensive player in the entire FCS.
Hunt has played himself into history as he’s slated to become the first-ever Houston Christian player to be drafted.
Strengths
- Incredibly athletic, 9.22 RAS
- Has the athleticism of a safety in an edge rusher’s body…and has room to improve
- He has great bend and can dip around tackles at will
- Legitimately dominated the competition; even at the FCS level, it is impressive
- Can drop into coverage
- Plays faster than his testing would suggest
- Has great motor and can close in on quarterbacks
Jalyx Hunt has the 2nd highest athletic score of any edge rusher in this class. But I was surprised by the technical refinement for a player who was a safety 2 years ago. Can win with a speed-chop/double swipe/cross-chop & creates lift + displacement with speed to power. Needs to… pic.twitter.com/pDNFzIViYp
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) April 17, 2024
Weaknesses
- Talent level of competition; he was a massive fish in a tiny pond at the FCS level
- Has wasted first steps
- Needs to improve reaction time on the snap
- Still very raw at the edge position
- Can get swallowed up in the run game, needs to use those 34″+ arms more efficiently
NFL Player Comparison: Sam Hubbard
Projection: Fourth Round
Best Fits: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
Bottom Line on Jalyx Hunt
Being s stud at the FCS level does not always mean a player can play at a high level at the FBS level let alone in the NFL. In terms of the FCS crop this year, Hunt has the ability to become the best and challenge as the top edge rusher in this class when we look back.
He is incredibly raw at the position and should not be a day-one starter. Hunt does have enough to warrant some rotational playing time as a pass-rushing specialist as he continues to learn the position.
His size and agility are intriguing. His strength, however, is what needs work. Realistically, he is a project with high upside that can be utilized in the meantime.
He’s not dissimilar to another safety-turned-edge rusher, Sam Hubbard. Hunt, however, doesn’t have the privilege to be viewed higher due to where he played. He can be a steal early on day three.
Main Image: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
