Margus Hunt: Breaking Down SMU Prospect's NFL Combine Performance

Margus Hunt is an Estonian NFL draft prospect that put himself on the map back in 2006, when he gold-medalled in both shot put and discus in the World Junior Track and Field Championships.

Since then, he’s been recruited by the Southern Methodist University football program and has succeeded in many aspects of the game.

The defensive end and special teams player blocked 17 kicks during his career in Dallas. He also recorded 31 tackles (11.5 for a loss), eight sacks and an interception during his tenure with the Mustangs.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Hunt exceeded the hype and proved that he is not only an extremely raw prospect, but also an absolute workout warrior.

He’s certainly going to be a player to watch in April, as a team might take a chance on his immense upside early on.

Let’s take a look at how this defensive end measured up to the competition in Indianapolis this past weekend.

*Combine stats according to NFL.com

Height: 6’8”

Weight: 275 lbs.

40-Yard Dash: 4.60 seconds

Bench Press: 38 repetitions

Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches

Broad Jump: 121.0 inches 

At 6’8”, 275 pounds, Hunt has ridiculous size for a defensive lineman. Add in the fact that he ran one of the quickest 40-yard dashes for the position and tied Brandon Williams for most reps on the bench, and you have a legitimate freak of a prospect.

Teams across the league love taking a shot on over-sized defensive linemen, and one with the quickness, agility and high ceiling of Hunt will not be ignored.

It’s going to take a bit of time for the former SMU star to completely learn the game—especially at the NFL level—but the upside is certainly there.

Any organization thinking about Hunt is certainly going to be taking a gamble, as he is already 25 years old and doesn’t have the luxury of time to develop.

He has to prove himself a quick learner, as the combine just showed the world he is as athletic a specimen as there can be. It's all mental from here on out as he adapts his game to succeed at the next level.

Once he does that, the sky is the limit for this prospect. Hunt has certainly flashed the talent required to become a first-round pick and obviously has the physical ability to land there.

It’s going to be an interesting few weeks leading up to the draft, and another good performance at SMU’s pro day should solidify his place in the top 32 picks.