Panthers Draft 'The Fridge' Hunter

0:00On April 25th, the Carolina Panthers made a slick move in the second round of the NFL draft, trading up two spots with the Minnesota Vikings to snag. Nose Tackle Lee Hunter at the 49th overall pick. They shipped out their 51st and 159th picks, grabbing the 49th and a later 196th in return. This 6-foot-3, 318-pound beast from Texas Tech is set to beef up their defensive front. Hunter's journey took him through three colleges, starting with a red shirt year at Auburn back in 2021. He transferred to UCF for breakout 2023 season, leading all defensive tackles nationwide with 69 tackles and 11 tackles for loss. Then at Texas Tech last year, he earned first team all big 12 honors, helped them to their first conference title and a playoff spot, piling up. 41 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and top tier run defense grades. Fans might have been hoping for an offensive weapon like a tight-and-or receiver, but this pick hits a real need on the D-line.

1:04Guys like Turk Warton battled injuries after a big free agent deal. Bobby Brown stepped up late and a Sean Robinson bolted in free agency, leaving. Gaps opposite star dared Brown. Hunter upgrades their run stuff in crew right away. They call him The Fridge, a nod to the old school legend, refrigerator Perry, and the story's gold, as high school coach said if folks want to eat. They got to get past you. Hunter's an Auburn fan like Panther's stud dared Brown, even rocking low digits in college. Plus, he flipped his NIL cash smart, bought his mama house, hooked his brother up with 18 wheelers for a trucking gig, and takes care of his. 5-year-old daughter. With that nickname and pedigree, Hunter's primed a plug holes and maybe even rumble for scores as a Panther watch. This fridge keep opponents. Starving.