Jalyx Hunt describes challenges of facing top offensive linemen at Senior Bowl

Every year, the Senior Bowl provides the opportunity for overlooked stars to bring their stuff to Mobile, Alabama in the hopes of shining amongst the nation’s top NFL prospects. No matter how extensive the scouting process has become over the years, there have always been players who fly under the radar nationally. One such player this year has been Jalyx Hunt, a defensive end for the Houston Christian Huskies.

On the Thursday edition of Andy Staples On3, Hunt described the challenges of going up against the top offensive linemen at this year’s Senior Bowl. Tipping the scales at a svelte 248 pounds, Hunt is on the lighter side for edge rushers.

What were his first few reps like against some of the massive tackles in attendance at the Senior Bowl?

“Aggressive. Physical. To a degree, you’ve got to set the tone. I don’t want nobody looking at me and saying, ‘Oh that’s cake.’ You’ve gotta work. You’re gonna have to work. And this is a new position for me. Like you said, I am light. I usually play outside linebacker/stand-up edge, but we’re running a crash line defense this week, so I need to just be able to hit my gap and blow somebody back,” Hunt said.

In two seasons at HCU, Hunt tallied 133 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and an interception.

Standing at 6-foot-4, 248 pounds, Hunt is significantly larger than the average “small-school guy.” Evidently, NFL scouts agree. Hunt had representatives from 31 of the 32 NFL teams attend at least one of his practices this past season.

If any scouts missed the opportunity, they’ll have no shortage of chances to watch him this week. Hunt is the first player in HCU history to be invited to the Senior Bowl. He’s ready to show everybody why he deserved the invitation.

Jalyx Hunt is ready to introduce himself

“That’s the main objective,” Hunt said. “That was the only reason really for coming here. Just to show all the scouts I [can] play football at any level. Just put me on the field.

“It’s exactly how I thought it would be, a lot faster than what I was used to, a lot different talent level as far as the tackles go, and as far as everybody, honestly. I went from the FCS level to literally the best in all of football in the college world.”

Hunt strictly played linebacker before stepping foot on Houston Christian’s campus, where he began playing EDGE. Hunt hopes he can continue to play the hybrid position at the next level.

“I see myself playing the hybrid position in the NFL. I’m still new to the position, and I know I’ve got a lot more to learn about the position,” Hunt said, per Dave Campell’s Texas Football. “I watch Micah Parsons and want to be at that level one day. I have a lot of work to do, but it’s something I can and will be doing in the future.”

Watch Hunt in the Reese’s Senior Bowl at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the NFL Network.

On3’s Grant Grubbs also contributed to this article.