NCCU Linebacker Hunter Signs NFL Contract

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Reggie Hunter began his college football career as a walk-on. On Monday, the North Carolina Central University senior linebacker signed a contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent.

“From being a walk-on, I thought this opportunity would never come for me,” Hunter said from his hometown Henderson, North Carolina. “If you work hard, anything is possible.”

Hunter finished his standout four-year NCCU career with 245 tackles (135 solo) to rank 11th on the Eagles’ all-time list. He earned All-MEAC honors in each of his final two seasons – Second Team as a junior and First Team as a senior – and was named 2017 BOXTOROW All-America Honorable Mention as one of the top linebackers in HBCU football.

“Tremendous, hard-working young man,” said NCCU football head coach and defensive coordinator Granville Eastman about Hunter. “He will be successful in anything he does in life. He was a pleasure to coach and mentor, and I wish him all the success in the world.”

After sitting out the 2013 season, Hunter started just three games in his first two years on the field, but made a named for himself on special teams, collecting 28 tackles in 2014 and 48 in 2015. In his final two campaigns, Hunter started every game at linebacker and led the team in tackles both seasons with 84 in 2016 (second in MEAC) and 85 in 2017 (sixth in MEAC). He also topped NCCU with four interceptions as a junior in 2016, when the Eagles won a third consecutive MEAC championship and played in the Celebration Bowl.

“Reggie understands that things in life are not given,” Eastman added. “He embraces that process. That’s why you don’t bet against a guy like that, and that’s why he will always overachieve.”

Hunter will report to the Jaguars’ rookie minicamp next Thursday (May 10).