41 Facts About Danielle Hunter

Danielle Hunter is a Jamaican-American professional football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League.

Danielle Hunter played college football for the LSU Tigers and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft.

Danielle Hunter grew up in Katy, Texas, just west of Houston, where he attended Morton Ranch High School.

Danielle Hunter got signed up for youth football after a coach saw him playing tag with another boy who was trying to get away on roller skates.

Danielle Hunter tallied 63 tackles and seven sacks in his junior season.

In track and field, Danielle Hunter competed in both sprinting and jumping events.

Danielle Hunter was ranked as the 14th best defensive end by Scout.

Danielle Hunter attended Louisiana State University from 2012 to 2014, where he was a two-year starter at defensive end for the Tigers.

Danielle Hunter saw action in 12 games with no starts, playing most of the time on special teams, including kickoff coverage.

Danielle Hunter ended his first year with 12 tackles, including three solo.

Danielle Hunter had an outstanding all-around game in a win over Florida with seven tackles, one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.

Danielle Hunter closed the year with four tackles, including a sack for a 4-yard loss, in the win over Iowa in the 2014 Outback Bowl.

Danielle Hunter finished the season with 57 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, five quarterback hurries and a pair of pass breaksups.

Danielle Hunter returned as a starter for his junior year in 2014.

Danielle Hunter was the first LSU defender to score on a fumble return since Tyrann Mathieu did it on a 23-yard return in win over Kentucky on October 1,2011.

Danielle Hunter closed out the season with nine tackles, including one for a 4-yard loss, against Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl.

Danielle Hunter played in 38 games with 23 starts in three years, and started 23 straight games at defensive end.

Danielle Hunter opted to forgo his final season at LSU and declared for the 2015 NFL draft in January 2015.

Danielle Hunter finished his college career with 142 tackles, 21.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, eight pass breakups, seven quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles.

At the 2015 NFL Combine, Danielle Hunter registered a time of 4.57 seconds in the 40-yard dash, the fastest time among all defensive linemen.

Danielle Hunter did 25 repetitions on the 225-pound bench press.

Danielle Hunter was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2015 NFL draft with the 88th pick overall.

In week 8 against the Chicago Bears, Danielle Hunter recorded a sack and a tackle.

Danielle Hunter finished the season with 33 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, 25 quarterback pressures, 1 pass defensed and a forced fumble.

On January 19,2016, Danielle Hunter was named to the Pro Football Writers of America's 2015 NFL All-Rookie team.

Danielle Hunter scored the first touchdown of his professional career on a 24-yard fumble return against the Tennessee Titans.

Danielle Hunter had his first career multi-sack game in Week 11 against the Arizona Cardinals, helping the Vikings end their four-game losing streak.

In 16 games with the Vikings in 2016, Danielle Hunter accumulated 54 total tackles, 12.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown despite the fact that he did not start a single game.

Danielle Hunter was credited with 55 quarterback hurries according to Sam Monson at Pro Football Focus.

In week 8 against the Cleveland Browns in London, Danielle Hunter forced a fumble on running back Isaiah Crowell which was recovered by teammate Anthony Harris on the first offensive play of the second half.

Danielle Hunter recorded a sack in the next three games against the Redskins, Rams, and Lions respectively.

Danielle Hunter finished the regular season with 45 tackles, 7 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two passes defended in 16 games started.

On June 27,2018, Danielle Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million extension with the Vikings with $40 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus.

Danielle Hunter had a strong start to the 2018 season, recording at least one sack in each of the Vikings' first seven games, including 2 sacks against the Cardinals in Week 6.

Danielle Hunter finished the regular season with 70 tackles, 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 16 games started.

On December 17,2019, Danielle Hunter was nominated to play in his second straight Pro Bowl.

On September 9,2020, Danielle Hunter was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.

Danielle Hunter underwent season-ending surgery to clean up a herniated disc in his neck.

Danielle Hunter started off the season in a torrid pace netting 6 sacks in the first 7 games when he suffered a season ending torn pectoral muscle placing him on injured reserve for the 2nd consecutive season.

On July 30,2023, Danielle Hunter signed a new one-year deal with the Vikings.

On March 14,2024, Danielle Hunter signed a two-year, $49 million contract with the Houston Texans.