Lee Hunter didn't have any reservations about which team would take him in the 2026 NFL Draft. The now-former Texas Tech football standout isn't complaining about his landing spot with the Carolina Panthers.
"When they took me I was very excited," Hunter said. "It's the place I wanted to be and I'm glad to be a Panther."
The Panthers took Hunter in the second round with the 49th overall pick. He was the third Texas Tech defender to come off the board along with David Bailey (No. 2 to the Jets) and Jacob Rodriguez (No. 43 to the Dolphins).
Hunter spent one year at Texas Tech after previous stops at Auburn and UCF. With the Red Raiders, Hunter turned into an All-American, earning second-team honors from USA TODAY and the Football Writers Association of America and a third-team selection by The Associated Press.
In his lone campaign with the Red Raiders, Hunter racked up 42 tackles, 11 coming for a loss of yardage, and 3 sacks anchoring the line of one of the nation's top defenses.
Hunter is a noted fan of current Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown. During his post-draft media availability, Hunter said he has already spoken with Brown, who told him "to be ready to work and let's get it." Hunter said he respects Brown's game for how well he tackles outside of the tackle box.
Hunter first became familiar with Brown's game while he was at Auburn at Hunter was trying to pick his first college destination, which was with the Tigers. Of his three stops in college, Hunter said the year with the Red Raiders was the most beneficial.
"Texas Tech really helped me get better as a player," Hunter said. "UCF helped me get better as a person, a human being, but Texas Tech was one of the main schools that helped me grow in many ways and sharpen my craft more on the football side of it."
Asked about his nickname, which originated in high school, Hunter said he would love for Panther fans to continue calling him The Fridge.
When Hunter was asked to describe his play, the first adjective he used was "violent."
"Someone who will bring energy to the team and to the crowd," Hunter said, "and you're gonna enjoy watching Carolina football."
The Panthers traded up in the draft to take Hunter at 49th overall. That brings some extra motivation heading to the league.
"I'm ready to run through a f***ing brick wall for them," Hunter said.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech football's Lee Hunter ready to through a 'brick wall' for Panthers