We’re currently in the dead period of the off-season, and the Eagles won’t be back on the field until late July. I’m kicking off a player profile series to get to know some of the new faces on the Eagles. The plan is to start with the rookies and then move on to the free agents. Today, we take a look at the Eagles’ third-round pick, Jalyx Hunt.

If you missed out on the previous “Player Profiles” you can check them out here: Quinyon Mitchell ¦ Cooper DeJean

Jalyx Hunt wasn’t on my radar pre-draft until someone, and I can’t remember who it was, mentioned there’s an edge rusher from Houston Christian who previously played safety in college. I was intrigued. Obviously, the speed and quickness are going to be there, which is exciting, but I was more interested in the pass coverage ability that Hunt might have compared to other edge rushers. Now, most teams won’t ask their edge rushers to drop back into coverage, but this is Vic Fangio we’re talking about. He loves throwing different looks, and dropping a guy on the edge into coverage is one of them.

Learning about Hunt was interesting, but I was sold on the idea of drafting him in the later rounds. Except, the Eagles took him in the third round at 94 overall. When it was announced that the Eagles selected him at that pick, I was indifferent. I felt we reached for him, but I knew there was a reason for it. Fangio loves Hunt. So for that reason, I am here for it. Let’s take a look at the Eagles’ third-rounder.

High School & College

During his high school career, Jalyx Hunt played wide receiver and cornerback. For his freshman year, he attended Dutch Fork High School in South Carolina before moving to Florida, where he attended University High School. During his senior season, Hunt was named all-county as a wide receiver, catching 20 passes for 475 yards and two touchdowns. Coming out of high school, he was unranked on ESPN and 247 Sports. He committed to Cornell as a defensive back.

Hunt played safety at Cornell from 2019 to 2021, recording 29 tackles and a blocked punt. After the 2021 season, he transferred to play for the Houston Baptist Huskies, now known as the Houston Christian Huskies. At Houston Christian, Hunt transitioned to an outside linebacker/edge role, and his stock started to take off. He ended his two-year career as a Husky with 133 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks.

During that span, Hunt was named second-team FCS All-American (2023), SLC Defensive Player of the Year (2023), first-team All-SLC (2023), and second-team All-SLC (2022). He received an invite to the 2024 Senior Bowl and was one of four FCS players to receive an invite.

Strengths

Hunt is a super explosive athlete. During the combine, he ran a 4.64 40-yard dash, had a 37.5″ vertical, and a 10’8″ broad jump, earning him a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 9.18. He has an excellent frame and length and boasts an elite burst off the line, allowing him to attack slower offensive linemen from multiple angles. Remember when I said he played safety? He uses that experience to help him anticipate plays and excel in zone coverage. He has great closing speed to finish sacks and beat ball carriers to the edge.

There’s plenty to say about his character. Everywhere I have looked, he’s been reported as a locker room guy, and you can never have too many of those on a team. He’s smart, which is evident due to his switch from safety to edge halfway through his collegiate career. As a pass rusher, he’s able to bend and dip around the edge and beat blockers inside with his speed. He has also shown promise as a special teamer, which I think will be his primary role for the Eagles in 2024.

Weaknesses

This is probably going to be one of the shorter weakness segments I write about. If you’ve made it this far, you can probably guess his weaknesses. His technique isn’t there yet, and he doesn’t have a ton of pass rush moves in his arsenal. At times, he plays too upright and gets out-muscled by stronger linemen. Against the run, he will sometimes give up the edge while trying to make a play. In other words, he’s just raw at the position.

Summary

As an Eagle, Hunt’s potential to contribute immediately on special teams and develop into a dynamic defensive player is high. His journey from an unranked high school player to a standout at the FCS level demonstrates his work ethic and determination. Eagles fans should keep an eye on Hunt as he continues to develop and carve out his role on the team. I have a feeling he will be easy to cheer for, and if he puts his head down and works hard, he could be a nightmare for opposing teams for years to come.

Player Comparison: Arnold Ebiketie (this was a tough one to find)