Zack Baun was the feel-good story of the season last year for the Eagles with his rise to prominence after an unexpected impressive first year with the Eagles after being a special teamer and not making as big of an impact with New Orleans. Jalyx Hunt could be the next chapter in the Eagles’ feel-good story book.
Hunt, who started as a safety at Cornell playing two seasons in the Ivy League. In 2022, he transferred to Houston Christian, another Division I FCS program where he was named the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and earned All-American honors. After a strong end to his rookie season last year, the third-round pick has an opportunity to fill a big void at EDGE.
High praise early in camp
Hunt has caught the attention of his All-Pro teammate in left tackle Jordan Mailata. Going up against Hunt a good amount during the first week of training camp and the foreseeable future, Mailata raved about the second-year pass rusher.
“He’s going to be special. He has tendencies like Micah Parsons. Just to be able to cut on a dime like that. Jalyx is going to be a star, man,” Mailata told media last week.
Mailata has had plenty of experience going up against the All-Pro edge rusher in Parsons over the years, making the comparison carry some weight.
Vic Fangio with his matter-of-fact personality, acknowledged that Hunt showed promise late last season and can be a key piece to the defense, but also said that Mailata and A.J. Brown, who shared he calls Cooper DeJean “All-Pro Coop” were perhaps a bit too complimentary.
“Yeah, both of them overdid it. Come on (laughing). Those two guys are coming along. Jalyx to me, the last third of the season into the playoffs played a lot for us and played good. We have high expectations for him.”
It has been impressive what Hunt has been able to do at edge rusher, playing the position for just four years. It appears his ceiling will continue to rise as he progresses.
Mailata joked: “How did I go from Josh Sweat to Jalyx? It’s crazy. I’m like Howie, give me a break for one year, Jesus!”
In his final two seasons at the collegiate level he finished with 133 tackles, 20.5 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks. In his rookie season, Hunt played in 16 games making 21 total tackles with 12 solo to go with 1.5 sacks, three QB hits and two forced fumbles doing most of that in the playoffs.
“First couple of days getting into football shape, running to the ball, being under Vic Fangio’s rules. You have to hustle, but really just working and getting ready for the season,” Hunt said on his first week of Eagles’ training camp.
Looking to fill void for Eagles
The Eagles let Josh Sweat walk after a productive seven-year tenure where he had 43 sacks in 104 games and was on the verge of potentially being named Super Bowl MVP for his impressive performance. The team did that in part to what Hunt showed them down the stretch of last season. The 24-year-old is looking to take advantage of his expanded role.
“I did a lot this summer just in an effort to learn. Just getting into shape so I can practice as hard as I could to learn as much as I could,” Hunt said.
“I’m going to different pass rushing summits, talking to some of the top rushers in the league to pick their brain. I went to see them and workout with them. Just to know some of the secrets of the trade so I can use them and steal them…they say the great one’s steal, I’m trying to steal a little bit and pick from everybody’s rushing style but also find my own.”
Some of the pass rushers at the summit included Von Miller, Maxx Crosby, Cam Jordan along with teammate Nolan Smith.
Fangio has shown and said as much that he wants his defense to have players that are trustworthy who buy into his philosophy and always looking to evolve. It’s resonated with a defensive unit that is infused with young talent.
“He’s a type of guy that I’m so grateful that he is believing me and wanting me to be out on the field and on his defense,” Hunt said. “I don’t take that lightly. So, whenever I have an opportunity to do anything, a package, or on regular downs, I’m going to do it. Talk to him, ask him questions.”
From what we have seen in the early stages of Eagles’ training camp and the high praise he has received from teammates and coaches, Hunt’s stock is rising rapidly.
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