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LSU will lose yet another player to the NFL a year early. According to a report from Chris Price of WBRZ News in Baton Rouge, La., LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.
LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter says in a text message he’ll move on to the NFL: “I’m not going back to LSU” #Tigers @WBRZ
— Chris Price (@cpricesports) January 5, 2015
Hunter recorded 73 tackles, 1.5 sacks as a junior while leading the team 13.0 tackles for loss. He also deflected six passes and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Scouts have projected Hunter to be picked anywhere from the first to third round. Yahoo Sports’ Rand Gertin reported over the weekend that Hunter was leaning toward staying in school.
#LSU DL Danielle Hunter is leaning toward staying in school for his senior year, per multiple sources. — Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) December 18, 2014
The Advocate (Baton Rouge, La.) confirmed Price’s initial tweet about Hunter’s decision, but LSU sports information director Michael Bonnette contradicted those reports with a tweet later Monday morning. One of Hunter’s LSU teammates, linebacker Lamar Louis, also said Price’s report was untrue.
Just spoke to #LSU Danielle Hunter. He told me he hasn’t talked to anyone in media about his decision to either return to LSU or go pro.
— Michael Bonnette (@LSUBonnette) January 5, 2015
“@cpricesports: LSU defensive end Danielle Hunter says in a text message he’ll move on to the NFL: “I’m not going back to LSU” Not True
— Lamar Louis (@_ball_is_life23) January 5, 2015
If Hunter leaves, the Tigers will have lost three underclassmen to the NFL draft; cornerback Jalen Collins and linebacker Kwon Alexander both decided to skip their senior seasons in the last week. LSU also lost defensive coordinator John Chavis, who took the same position at Texas A&M.
Hunter is perhaps the most surprising of the Tigers’ three early defections. At 6-foot-6 with long arms, he has the frame to be a disruptive player in the NFL, but he was listed at just 24o pounds this year. Despite having immense physical gifts, Hunter wasn’t a consistent force rushing the passer at LSU.
A former freelance journalist from Philadelphia, Brett has made the trek down to SEC country to cover the greatest conference in college football.
