Danielle Hunter: The Relentless Pass Rusher Approaching 100 Career Sacks
From Katy, Texas to 100 NFL sacks, Danielle Hunter epitomizes relentlessness and determination.
Hunter moved to the United States when he was 8 years old and grew up in Katy where he attended Morton Ranch High School. Once he landed at defensive end it was quickly apparent he had the tools to be special.
LSU
At LSU, Hunter played in all 13 games with 10 starts as a sophomore, breaking into the starting lineup in week 4 against Auburn. In his first start, he recorded a then career-best eight tackles and a quarterback hurry in a 35-21 win over the eventual national runner-up Auburn.
As a junior, he played and started all 13 games for the Tigers, contributing to a defense that led the SEC in total yards (316.8) and pass defense (164.2) and ranked No. 2 in the SEC in scoring defense (17.5). One standout highlight from that season: A scoop-and-score on a Dak Prescott fumble against Mississippi State. Hunter sprinted 25-yards to put six on the board on the first play of the second half.
Finishing his college career with 142 tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss (79 yards), 4.5 sacks (27 yards), eight pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles (including a touchdown on a 25-yard fumble return), Hunter cemented his reputation as a top prospect with a 4.57 time in the 40-yard dash - top among DEs in his class.
NFL Dominance from Day One
Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 88th pick overall, Hunter entered the NFL as the youngest player in the league but finished his first season with 6.0 sacks, second among all rookies.
He set the NFL record for most sacks (46.0) by a player prior to turning 25 years old, and became the youngest player in NFL history to reach 50 career sacks at 25 years and 40 days old, surpassing Robert Quinn's previous record.
Hunter hit peak form again in 2023. He became the fourth player since 2015 to record at least 15.0 sacks, 20 tackles for loss and 60 combined tackles in a season, collecting those gaudy numbers in only 14 games.
Houston Homecoming
In 2024, Hunter signed with the Texans, forming a dangerous duo with emerging DE Will Anderson Jr. He started all 17 games for Houston, posting 12.0 sacks and 46 combined tackles. His 12 sacks ranked 7th among edge defenders.
Hunter's impact in Houston was immediate. Anderson Jr. talked often about how much he was learning from the veteran and the Texans pass rush became one of the most effective in the NFL.
Entering his second year in H-Town, Hunter was only 0.5 sacks away from 100 career NFL sacks.
And now that milestone is in his rearview.
