Jalyx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian
Size:
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 252 pounds
Arm Length: 34 3/8"
Hand Size: 10”
Accomplishments:
Second-Team All-Southland Conference (2022)
“Albeit raw, Jalyx Hunt is as intriguing a prospect as they come. With time and development, Hunt could be a consistent starter in the NFL.”
Strengths:
Size, length, and newness to position
Natural feel for his pass rush
Strong athletic profile
Concerns:
Struggles to hold the point of attack in the run game
Will need time to develop—won’t see return on investment immediately
FCS football product—will have to prove it against upper-echelon talent
Film Analysis:
Originally a safety at Cornell and a wideout/cornerback in high school, Jalyx Hunt is about as raw a prospect as we’ve seen at the edge rusher position in recent years. Despite his relative inexperience in the position, Hunt possesses a range of unique attributes that could secure him a spot in the NFL.
The first of these is his size and length. With 34-inch arms and standing at an imposing 6-foot-4, he already possesses a natural advantage, both in reach and size for battles in the trenches. The first key to establishing himself at the next level will be continuing to gain mass and develop his body. Remember, he has only trained at the line of scrimmage for two years.
While his size alone keeps him on the radar of NFL decision-makers, Hunt's innate rushing ability will captivate NFL scouts. Despite some imperfections, mostly with his hands, he exhibits a solid foundation of pass-rush moves, and what sets him apart is his capacity to excel without a predefined plan. Hunt impressively reads, or rather, feels, the movements of opposing offensive linemen during his rushes. Employing a slashing guard-like approach, he uses crafty, close-quarters footwork and explosiveness to challenge linemen vertically and/or horizontally in his rush. The potential for Hunt to become a great pass-rusher is evident.
In his roles away from his prowess as a pass rusher, Hunt occasionally played as a traditional off-the-ball linebacker, showing solid capabilities in zone coverage. As a run defender, Hunt struggles at times. There were several occasions where I felt like Hunt was playing too high at the point of attack. He has a deliberate strike and is a thumper against pulling blockers, but especially against zone schemes, Hunt will have to play with more leverage as he continues to gain mass to assist him. Nonetheless, there are still a fair amount of dominant flashes that invite encouragement in Hunt’s potential development as a run defender.
All in all, If Hunt properly develops into NFL form, I see him being a true OLB in base 3-4 fronts—asked to be a force player at the line of scrimmage, pass rush specialist, and capable cover linebacker. If Hunt continues to grow his game in the trenches and keep his natural instincts from his time as a defensive back, he could be a true jack of all trades at the next level.
Prospect Projection: Day 3 — Role Specific Contributor
Exposures: Lamar (2023), Western Kentucky (2023), McNeese (2023), Southeastern La. (2023)
