LSU Defensive End is a Disruptive Force
The starting defensive end at Louisiana State University is familiar with a level of expectation that is unprecedented around the rest of the country.
With the success of names like Marcus Spears, Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo setting a strong tradition at his position, junior defensive lineman Danielle Hunter is poised to have a career season.
“My first goal is going out there and doing what I can for my team and coaches,” Hunter said. “Secondly, I’m trying to build off last year and improve.”
The Katy, Texas native made a name for himself in 2013 when he recorded 57 total tackles – including eight for losses – and three sacks in 13 games for the Tigers. His performance was good for a starting role in 2014, and Hunter has only gotten better since.
Fellow starting defensive end and senior Jermauria Rasco has taken notice of Hunter’s offseason efforts and cited his improved quickness off the snap as evidence of his work ethic.
“It’s incredible,” Rasco said. “He’s not playing timid at all and is just being the raw football player that he is.”
Hunter maintains that everything he achieves is a direct result of the unique bond between his teammates and coaches. Rasco serves as an example for Hunter, and the two have formed a relationship centered on the pursuit of success.
“Rasco is a mentor to me,” Hunter said. “He tells me what to work on and we work on it together every day at practice.”
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The two joined the starting lineup around the same time and have been dedicated to each other ever since.
“We both feel a lot more comfortable than we did a year ago,” Rasco said. “After getting a year under our belt, we have a lot of chemistry.”
Hunter knows that the common denominator among all the great players is a commitment to perfection and is focusing on that rather than any individual accolades.
With teammates like Rasco, it is not difficult to keep that in mind.
“We hold each other accountable,” Rasco said. “I try to hold our guys to a certain standard. They respect me and I respect them.”
Defensive line coach Brick Haley‘s track record speaks for itself, and his players know that the only way to achieve greatness is to follow his lead.
Head coach Les Miles hinted that Rasco is not the only mentor as Hunter enters his first season as a full-time starter.
“[Haley] can bring guys in and improve their game,” Miles said. “He is also a tremendous mentor of the players. He knows his guys and what classes they’re in and what’s going on. I always go to him first because he always knows.”
The impact that Haley has on his players is obvious.
Hunter did not even want to accept credit for his eye-opening play against Sam Houston State, where he timed the snap perfectly and ended the play in the backfield.
“That is just an example of doing what coach Haley told me to do,” Hunter said. “He told me to time the snap perfectly and I did just that.”
Hunter echoed his coach when discussing the mindset he takes to every play when lining up against the offensive line. He has confidence in himself and good coaching means he always knows what to expect.
“The main objective is to line up and know that you will win your matchup,” Hunter said. “Everyone that lines up on our defensive line has a mindset of, ‘I’m going to beat you.’”
Haley’s players know that his coaching is the key to achieving the success expected of an LSU defensive lineman.
Hunter refuses to focus on the LSU legends before him and instead chooses to focus on what made those players great in the hopes of one day joining them among the ranks of Fighting Tiger greats.
“I try not to think about that because it could become a distraction,” Hunter said. “The main thing we focus on here is getting better at the little things, and at the end, you work at the big things.”
If history is any indication, big things are in store for Hunter, and the junior is primed to take advantage of every opportunity this year.