Texas Tech All-American dominating Senior Bowl practices

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Jan 29, 2026 - 15:30
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Texas Tech All-American dominating Senior Bowl practices

The Washington Commanders need a lot of help on defense this season. Washington began rebuilding its defense on January 6 by firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. After a three-week search that included interviews with nine candidates, the Commanderschose Vikings pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Daronte Jones as their new defensive coordinator.

This week, general manager Adam Peters is in Mobile, Alabama, for the 2026 Senior Bowl. While some top players that the Commanders may have targeted with the No. 7 overall pick pulled out of the game, there's plenty of talent on the field in Mobile this week.

It didn't take long for one defender to stand out. At 6-foot-3, 320 pounds, Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter is accustomed to standing out. During the first day of practice at the Senior Bowl this week, Hunter immediately made his presence felt, dominating offensive linemen.

Heading into the Senior Bowl, some draft analysts didn't consider Hunter a first-round talent. He was largely viewed as a second-day pick, going in either the second or third round. However, after just two days of practice at the Senior Bowl, Hunter has quickly entered first-round consideration.

Hunter began his career at Auburn, where he spent one year before transferring to UCF. At UCF, he played three seasons before moving on to Texas Tech in 2025. Hunter was terrific throughout his career, but much like teammate David Bailey, he blossomed into an All-American on Texas Tech's dominant defense.

For the Commanders, they have Javon Kinlaw, Daron Payne and Johnny Newton. Payne is entering the final year of his contract, and there are questions about his future. Consistency has been an issue for Payne, but when he's on, he's excellent. Kinlaw had some terrific moments in his first year with Washington, but also struggled with consistency. Newton is a former second-round pick who had a huge game vs. Dallas, but did little else.

Hunter could step right in and make an immediate impact, rotating with the other three tackles. The only problem is that the No. 7 overall pick is a tad too high for Hunter. However, if the Commanders can find a trade partner and move down to acquire more picks, Hunter could be an option.

Hunter's known for his size, but he's also an excellent athlete. Offensive linemen struggle with Hunter's power and quickness. While he didn't have the best pass-rushing numbers in college, Hunter could improve in that area at the next level. All the tools are there. And if you watch Hunter, you'll see his motor doesn't run hot and cold like some interior defensive players.

Hunter will likely land in the first round of every mock draft you see from now until April.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 2026 Senior Bowl: Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter could be Commanders' target

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