Pros: Hunter isn’t a speed burner, but he possesses great ability to avoid tackles in the backfield, and he’s outstanding at sifting through trash to get upfield on blocks. A very patient runner at the line who has good burst. Keeps his eyes on a swivel; he’s a very aware runner wherever he is, but especially in space. Great technique on screens and draws – he doesn’t outrun his blockers and he understands his part in an integrated running game. Tough to bring down after first contact, Hunter blows past arm tackles and is very determined in a pile. Just as good inside because he’s tough, has a compact body and does not shy away from contact. A foot injury cost him much of the 2009 season, but he came back with aplomb in his senior campaign, matching nearly all of his outstanding 2008 numbers.
Cons: Hunter has good outside and downfield speed, but he’ll have trouble against fast defenders. His yards per carry went down every month in his senior year (7.0 to 5.6 to 4.8 to 3.2), which may indicate that he’s not a 300-carry back. At his size, he could wear down if used too often inside. Some analysts say that he gained many of his breakaway opportunities based on Oklahoma State’s spread offense.
Conclusion: Because he has such great decision-making abilities and quickness through the hole, Hunter would be a great fit with any team (like the Dallas Cowboys or Pittsburgh Steelers) who run a lot of shotgun draws, play action, and counter/trap runs. He’s a tough, well-proportioned back, though giving him a heavy workload isn’t a good idea.
With all the talk that Mark Ingram of Alabama is the runaway leader in this draft class of backs, Hunter could rise up as that type of back if he can prove that there’s nothing to the spread offense stigma. That’s why the Senior Bowl will be so important to him. Though Tashard Choice(notes) is currently the Cowboys’ third back, the comparison is not pejorative. Like the underrated Choice, Hunter intrigues and makes one want to see more in different schematic situations.
Pro comparison: Tashard Choice, Cowboys