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Margus Hunt

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Margus Hunt
refer to caption
Hunt with the Bengals in 2014
Personal information
Born: (1987-07-14) 14 July 1987 (age 37)
Karksi-Nuia, Estonia
Height:6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
College:SMU
Position:Defensive end
NFL draft:2013 / round: 2 / pick: 53
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • First-team All-C-USA (2012)
Career NFL statistics as of 2021
Tackles:128
Sacks:8.5
Forced fumbles:1
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:11
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Margus Hunt (born 14 July 1987) is an Estonian professional American football defensive end who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at SMU. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints.

Before taking up American football, Hunt competed in the discus throw and shot put, and was the former world junior record holder in discus throw.[1] At 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m), he is one of the tallest players in the NFL.

Early years (track and field)

Hunt grew up in the small town of Karksi-Nuia and took up athletics because "there wasn’t much to do". After trying decathlon he decided to concentrate on the throwing events – discus, shot and hammer throw. Hunt started training with Aleksander Tammert, an Olympic bronze medalist in discus throw from the 2004 Summer Olympics. Hunt competed in hammer throw at the 2003 World Youth Championships and discus at the 2004 World Junior Championships, placing eighth and sixth respectively.

In 2005, he won his first title at the European Junior Championships in Kaunas, throwing 62.19 metres (Championship record) with the 1.75 kg discus.

In 2006, at the World Junior Championships in Beijing Hunt established a new world junior record of 66.35 metres with his first throw in the qualifying round. In the finals, Hunt improved his own world junior record to 66.68 m in the fourth round and then 67.32 m in the sixth and final round.

Three days later he won the gold medal in the shot put at 20.53 metres in the final, beating the closest competitor by 39 centimetres. Hunt became the first athlete to win the gold medal in both shot and discus at the World Junior Championships, outperforming Rutger Smith of the Netherlands who won a gold and a bronze in 2000. His winning distance of 20.53 m was a national junior record with the 6 kg shot.

His personal best hammer throw result is 64.89 made on 28 March 2008, in Arlington, Texas.[2][3] His personal best shot put result is 17.98 made on 22 March 2008, in Waco.[4]

His personal best with the senior 2 kg discus is 61.33 meters made on 6 July 2010, in Viljandi.

College career

See also: 2009 SMU Mustangs football team, 2010 SMU Mustangs football team, 2011 SMU Mustangs football team, and 2012 SMU Mustangs football team

Hunt left Estonia for Dallas, Texas, in 2007 in order to train with Southern Methodist University track and field coach Dave Wollman,[5] and he began attending SMU part-time. However, by the time he arrived at SMU, the university had dropped its men's track program. Hunt wanted to keep working with Wollman, who had previously worked with an Estonian discus thrower, 2004 Olympic bronze Aleksander Tammert, and Wollman decided that Hunt's size and athleticism could earn him an athletic scholarship playing for the SMU Mustangs football team.[5] When Hunt tried out for football, his physical power, combined with a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, led Mustangs head football coach June Jones to offer him a scholarship,[5] and he began attending SMU full-time in 2009. He then played for the Mustangs for the next four seasons. On 12 October 2009, Hunt was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Week.[6] On 7 November Hunt broke the school record for blocked kicks in a season when he blocked an extra-point try and a field goal against Rice. In his first 14 games at SMU he blocked eight kicks, putting him in the top 10 in blocked kicks among all NCAA players.[7] He was named the MVP of the 2012 Hawaii Bowl. He almost broke the NCAA's all-time record for blocked kicks (19),[8] but eventually finished college career with 17 blocks,[9] the second highest in that account.[10]

For nearly 10 years, Bruce Feldman, a writer for CBSSports.com, has annually compiled what he calls a "Freak List" of the 10 college football players he considers the most freakish athletes. In 2012, Hunt was on top of his list. According to Feldman, Hunt "sounds like a PlayStation football creation"—despite his 82-inch (2.1 m) wingspan, he is able to bench press 225 pounds (102 kg) 35 times, and has also cleaned 384 pounds (174 kg) and snatched 345 pounds (156 kg). Hunt also boasts a 36-inch (91 cm) vertical jump. Wollman predicted that Hunt would have 45 repetitions and a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the 2013 NFL combine.[5] Hunt did, in fact, run a 4.60-second 40-yard dash and did 38 bench press repetitions while posting a vertical leap of 34.5-inch (88 cm) at the 2013 combine.[11]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 8+1⁄8 in
(2.04 m) 		277 lb
(126 kg) 		33+3⁄4 in
(0.86 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.60 s 1.63 s 2.71 s 4.51 s 7.07 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		 38 reps
All values from NFL Combine.[12][13]

Cincinnati Bengals

On 26 April 2013, the Cincinnati Bengals selected Hunt in the second round, 53rd pick overall, of the 2013 NFL Draft.[14] Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer compared him to Bengals defensive end/linebacker Michael Johnson at a post-draft news conference, explaining that both players were very raw coming out of college but had the potential to be great.

On 6 October 2013, Hunt made his debut in NFL, when the Bengals beat the New England Patriots 13-6.[15] He played in 10 games and was inactive the other six. He totaled four tackles, a shared sack and seven quarterback pressures as the Bengals won the AFC North.[16]

Hunt totaled seven tackles and one sack in 12 games in 2014 as the Bengals went 10-5-1 and again made the playoffs.[17][18]

Hunt was anticipated to have a breakout season in 2015.[19] He did not, and totaled only 2 tackles and no sacks in 7 games for the Bengals.

Indianapolis Colts

Hunt (left, #92) playing against the Washington Redskins in 2018.

On 13 March 2017, Hunt signed a two-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts.[20] In his first season with the Colts, Hunt totaled 29 tackles and a sack.[21]

In Week 1 of the 2018 season, Hunt had two sacks against his former team the Bengals, nearly totalling the 2.5 career sacks he had coming into the game.[22] In Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles, Hunt recorded four tackles, including a sack, and recovered his own forced fumble. Through three weeks, Hunt was leading the league in tackles for a loss with eight.[23] He started 15 games in 2018, recording 30 combined tackles and five sacks.

On 5 March 2019, Hunt signed a two-year, $9 million contract extension with the Colts.[24]

The Colts released Hunt on 16 March 2020.[25]

New Orleans Saints

On 1 May 2020, Hunt signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Saints.[26] He was released on 5 September 2020, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[27][28] He was elevated to the active roster on 12 September for the team's week 1 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers,[29] and reverted to the practice squad on 14 September. He was elevated again on 21 September for the week 2 game against the Las Vegas Raiders, and reverted to the practice squad again following the game.[30] He was promoted to the active roster on 26 September 2020.[31] On 12 October 2020, Hunt was released by the Saints.[32]

Cincinnati Bengals (second stint)

On 19 October 2020, Hunt signed with the Cincinnati Bengals.[33] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on 9 November 2020,[34] and was activated on 20 November.[35]

Arizona Cardinals

On 11 August 2021, Hunt signed with the Arizona Cardinals.[36] He was released on 31 August 2021.[37]

Chicago Bears

On 8 September 2021, Hunt was signed to the Chicago Bears practice squad. Hunt was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster on 18 September 2021, for the week 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field in Chicago,[38] as well on 25 September 2021, for the week 3 game against the Cleveland Browns in Cleveland.[39] He was promoted to the active roster on 23 November.

Career statistics

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
G GS Comb Solo Ast Sk PD Int TD FF
2013 CIN 10 0 3 1 2 0.5 0 0 0 0
2014 CIN 12 0 7 5 2 1.0 1 0 0 0
2015 CIN 7 0 2 1 1 0.0 0 0 0 0
2016 CIN 15 0 17 9 8 0.0 2 0 0 0
2017 IND 16 5 29 19 10 1.0 2 0 0 0
2018 IND 15 15 30 22 8 5.0 2 0 0 1
2019 IND 16 5 17 14 3 0.0 0 0 0 0
2020 NOR 4 0 3 2 1 0.0 0 0 0 0
CIN 9 1 6 5 1 1.0 4 0 0 0
2021 CHI 10 0 14 6 8 0.0 0 0 0 0
Career 106 26 117 80 37 8.5 11 0 0 1

Achievements (track and field)

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Estonia
2003 Youth World Championships Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada 8th Hammer throw (5 kg) 64.77 PB
2004 World Junior Championships Grosseto, Italy 6th Discus throw (1.75 kg) 58.30 m PB
2005 Junior European Championships Kaunas, Lithuania 1st Discus throw (1.75 kg) 62.19 CR, NJR
2006 Junior World Championships Beijing, China 1st Shot put (6 kg) 20.53 m WJL, NJR
1st Discus throw (1.75 kg) 67.32 m WJR
European Cup First League Group A Prague, Czech Republic 6th Hammer throw 60.21 SB
2007 European U23 Championships Debrecen, Hungary 6th Discus throw 56.49 m
2009 European U23 Championships Kaunas, Lithuania 14th (q) Shot put 17.25 m
9th Discus throw 56.09 m

References

  1. ^ "Margus Hunt" From www.iaaf.org, Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  2. ^ "News, March 2008". margushunt.ee (in Estonian). 29 March 2008. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2009.
  3. ^ "Margus Hunt hammer throw record" Archived 20 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine From www.ekjl.ee, Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  4. ^ "Margus Hunt Shot put record" From www.ekjl.ee, Retrieved 18 October 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d Feldman, Bruce (8 May 2012). "Freak List: The 10 craziest athletes in college football". College Football Insider. CBSSports.com. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
  6. ^ "Hunt Named C-USA Special Teams Player of the Week" (Press release). SMU Athletics. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
  7. ^ Hairopoulos, Kate (5 September 2010). "Hunt blocks another FG attempt". Dallas Morning News.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Hunt knocking down new challenges at SMU". FOX Sports. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  9. ^ Snyder, Dan (25 April 2013). "Margus Hunt: 5 Things You Need to Know About the SMU Defensive End". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Block party: For SMU's Margus Hunt, blocking kicks isn't luck – it's a gift". Dallas News. 26 September 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  11. ^ "SMU's Margus Hunt wows scouts at NFL Combine; Texas A&M's Damontre Moore 'really disappointed' after tough showing". Dallas Morning News. dallasnews.com. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  12. ^ "Margus Hunt NFL Combine Results". NFL.com. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Margus Hunt - Southern Methodist, DE: 2013 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". www.draftscout.com.
  14. ^ "2013 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Hunt Makes NFL Debut". 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  16. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "The Official Site of the Cincinnati Bengals". www.bengals.com.
  18. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals: Margus Hunt". Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  19. ^ White, Stephen (2 September 2015). "Margus Hunt ready to become an absolute monster". SBNation.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  20. ^ Bowen, Kevin (13 March 2017). "Colts Sign Defensive End Margus Hunt". Colts.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2017.
  21. ^ "NFL #92 Margus Hunt - ESPN". m.espn.com.
  22. ^ Keefer, Zak (10 September 2018). "Thumbs up, thumbs down: Margus Hunt, Darius Leonard shine, Jack Doyle, Quincy Wilson don't". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  23. ^ Keefer, Zak (24 September 2018). "Colts thumbs up, down: Margus Hunt, Darius Leonard shine again, run game disappears". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  24. ^ Alper, Josh (5 March 2019). "Colts re-sign Margus Hunt". NBC Sports. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  25. ^ "Colts Release DT Margus Hunt". Colts.com. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  26. ^ "Saints sign defensive lineman Margus Hunt". NewOrleansSaints.com. 1 May 2020. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  27. ^ "Saints announce 53-man roster reductions for 2020". NewOrleansSaints.com. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  28. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce practice squad additions". NewOrleansSaints.com. 6 September 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  29. ^ Just, Amie (12 September 2020). "Saints promote DE Margus Hunt, WR Bennie Fowler III to active roster for gameday". NOLA.com. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  30. ^ Sigler, John (21 September 2020). "Saints call up Bennie Fowler, Margus Hunt again to play vs. Raiders". Saints Wire. USA Today. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  31. ^ "New Orleans Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  32. ^ Alper, Josh (12 October 2020). "Saints cut Margus Hunt, sign Ken Crawley to active roster". NBC Sports. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  33. ^ "Bengals Sign Margus Hunt, Waive Andrew Brown". Bengals.com. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  34. ^ Williams, Charean (9 November 2020). "Margus Hunt is fifth Bengals player to land on COVID-19 list". NBC Sports. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  35. ^ Williams, Charean (20 November 2020). "Bengals remove Fred Johnson, Margus Hunt from COVID-19 list". NBC Sports. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  36. ^ Murphy, Blake (10 August 2021). "Cardinals Announce Signing of 3 Defensive Ends, 1 Tight End". Revenge of the Birds. SB Nation. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  37. ^ Urban, Darren (31 August 2021). "Initial Roster Set As Cardinals Cut Down For Season". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  38. ^ Mayer, Larry (19 September 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears put Borom on IR; flex Hunt, Taylor". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  39. ^ Mayer, Larry (26 September 2021). "Roster Moves: Bears rule Goldman out, flex Hunt". ChicagoBears.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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