Danielle Hunter

Danielle Hunter's Biography

Born in St. Catherine, Jamaica on October 29, 1994, Danielle Hunter moved to the United States at a young age. Settling in Katy, Texas, Hunter found his calling in football during his time at Morton Ranch High School. After a successful high school career, Hunter earned a four-star recruit status from Rivals.com and was rated as the No. 37 prospect in the state of Texas. The LSU Tigers then recruited him.

Between 2012 and 2014, Hunter made his mark at Louisiana State University (LSU), where he stood out as a defensive end for the Tigers. Despite being only 17 in his first year, Hunter participated in 12 games and showcased a promising start to his college football career, which in his second year landed him a permanent spot in the starting lineup. His Junior year proved him to be an invaluable part of the LSU defense, contributing to several notable victories. Having played 38 games with 23 starts in three years, Hunter decided to enter the 2015 NFL draft.

Following his successful college career, Hunter entered the 2015 NFL draft. Selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of that draft, he quickly found his footing. Hunter’s rookie year saw him earning a valuable role on defense, proving his worth in several key games and resulting in his inclusion in the Pro Football Writers of America’s 2015 NFL All-Rookie team.

Hunter’s second year with the Vikings saw him continuing his upward trajectory, adding several outstanding performances to his burgeoning NFL career. Despite not starting a single game in his second season, Hunter still managed to accumulate impressive stats, landing him on NFL.com analyst Elliot Harrison’s All-Under-25 team.

Despite losses in weeks 4 and 8 of his third season, Hunter’s contribution remained invaluable, as he recorded his first sacks of the season and forced a game-changing fumble. As the season progressed, Hunter continued to display his prowess on the field, ending the regular season with 45 tackles, 7 sacks, among other impressive statistics. Despite this, the Vikings were unable to proceed beyond the National Football Conference (NFC) Championship that year.

Recognizing his evolution on the field, the Vikings offered Hunter a five-year, $72 million extension in June of 2018. This year saw Hunter record at least one sack each in the first seven games. He ended the 2018 season with a career-high of 72 total tackles, recognition as the NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and a trip to the Pro Bowl, where he further distinguished himself.

In 2019, Hunter’s performance remained stellar. His highlights included three sacks in Week 14 game against the Detroit Lions and becoming the youngest player in NFL history to reach 50 sacks. Reflecting his impressive performance that season, Hunter was invited to his second consecutive Pro Bowl.

Hunter’s time with the Vikings ended in 2024. Having earned four Pro Bowl selections during his tenure, Hunter moved onto the Houston Texans, showcasing the same potential he displayed from his days in LSU.

Danielle Hunter is a testament to the transformative power of sports, tracing an impressive trajectory from playing tag on roller skates to becoming a decisive player in the NFL. His journey epitomizes the dedication, tenacity, and athletic prowess that shine in professional football, leaving an indelible mark in the chronicles of American football.