Interview: 2017 LB Solomon Hunter Filling up Stat Sheet for Cisco

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Having a linebacker who can potentially play inside or outside will never go out of fashion for college recruiters. Because of his play on the field early in the 2016 season, Solomon Hunter is one of the fast risers on college recruiting boards across the country.

Hunter has all of the tangibles four-year programs want in a junior college transfer, and then some. Hunter started his career off at Louisiana Tech, redshirting in 2014 before playing his freshman season at Cisco in 2015. The 6-3, 226 pound, talent has the size, strength, speed, and knowledge of the game to be a next level player coaches can count on out of the 2017 class.

Pretty much every linebacker worth his salt can stop the run, that’s no problem for Hunter, but he can also defend the pass, a key part of playing the game that can get lost in the shuffle. During the 2015 season, Hunter moved from Mike to Sam covering tight ends and sometimes slot receivers in the passing game; a really big need at the junior college level. Hunter continues to be a key run stuffer but is quick to also snuff out bubble screens and screens to the running backs making him an every down player.

The National Junior College Athletic Association has Hunter with 28 tackles in three games played with a tackle for a loss, a fumble recovery, and a forced fumble to his credit. The stat line may not be overwhelming but within the context of playing passing teams in Cisco’s first three game, the stats standout a little more. Schools showing interest in Hunter includes Utah, Florida A&M, Central Florida, Texas-San Antonio, Memphis, and Kansas State among others.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Hunter before the Wranglers upcoming game on the road against Kilgore College to get his thoughts on his play thus far this season and received a recruiting news update. Solomon Hunter game clips at the end of the interview are courtesy of Cisco College.

Interview

Solomon, the Wranglers are three games into the season, how has the season gone for you so far on the field?

“It’s been going great. I’ve been focused and I’m getting good reads off the offensive lineman. The season has gone well over all. I’m staying consistent. I want to do more, make more plays. I’m just trying to do the best that I can do so we can win.”

What part of your game have you improved upon from last year to this year so far?

“Really just making hustle plays and staying consistent. I just want to do more, make more plays.”

How is your pass coverage this season?

“My pass coverage, I’ve been doing well. I’ve covered from the Will about 2-3 times this season. I’m reading screens well, under screens, and stuff like that. This week’s game (Kilgore), we are playing a run team. I’m looking forward to that.”

What kind of challenge does the Kilgore game bring for you?

“I love playing teams that like to run. They feel like they are good at it. I feel like we can take it away from them. Elijah (Timarky – linebacker) and I can take it away. It will be a great competition though. I’m loving this game.”

You are a third of the way through your season’s schedule. Are there any games remaining you are looking forward to playing?

“I’m looking forward to NEO (Northeast Oklahoma) and Trinity Valley. We play them again, twice in a year. We can improve on our mistakes from the first time we played them and hopefully get our offense going.”

What is your stat line so far this season?

“I think I have 29 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 recovery fumble, and 1 pass break up. Last year I had 34 tackles, I’m about to pass that. I was playing SAM last year. I was covering more last year and not getting as many opportunities to be a run stopper.”

When we talked previously you had a nice list of colleges showing interest in you, which schools are showing interest right now?

“Lately I’ve been talking to UCF (Central Florida), Middle Tennessee, and Utah. I know my coaches have been talking to college coaches for me. I’m not sure who all has been calling. I know some Big 12 schools are calling too. I’ve been talking to a lot of schools, I’m just ready to start getting some offers. I’m staying humble about the whole situation and working hard. I’m confident that a couple of offers are coming soon.”

Do you have any visits lined up?

“No, not yet.”

How is school going for you this semester?

“It’s been going well. I am on top of all my classes and my grades. I’m ready to graduate in December.”

Which class is your favorite this semester?

“I’d say Biology 2. They have some interesting stuff in the lab we are covering. I’m taking a lot of hard classes right now but doing well in them.”

Solomon, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your sophomore season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: twitter.com; No. 20 Solomon Hunter tracks down the ball carrier.