The 2024 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. Houston Christian defensive end Jalyx Hunt plans on taking full advantage. Hunt recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Hunt also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his NFL comparison, his pass-rush arsenal, and more. Let's get to know Jalyx Hunt better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction like?
Jalyx Hunt: I was in a meeting with one of our player personnel coaches. I was sitting in his office when he and an NFL liaison asked me to go meet a scout in another room (laughs). I was hanging out waiting for the scout. It just so happened that a couple of my teammates that I’m really close to were also in the room (laughs).
They told me they had a meeting with our head coach. We were just waiting around when Jim Nagy, my head coach, and a group of people just walked in. They had the Reese’s Senior Bowl black box in their hands. I met the owner of Walk-On Sports Bistreaux as well, he was with Jim Nagy.
It took me a second to realize what was happening. It was so surreal. I was like wow, I can’t believe this is happening. I was very excited and proud. It was honestly a mixture of emotions.
JM: What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Jalyx Hunt: I’m aware of how many great players are going to be in attendance this year. I had already seen a bunch of great players accept their offers. I want to compete against those guys. The compete level is high every single year at the Senior Bowl.
A big thing for me throughout this pre-draft process is to prove to the scouts that I can maintain my level of production against FBS talents. I want to prove myself alongside NFL-level talents. I want to put myself in the best position possible. Going to the Senior Bowl does that for me. I talked it over with my agent and I did my homework. We decided to accept the offer.
JM: Is that what you’re hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile? That you can compete with FBS talents?
Jalyx Hunt: Definitely. I feel like I have a chip on my shoulder because I played in the FCS. I think almost every player in the FCS are FBS-caliber athletes. In most cases, FCS players just hit their growth spurt a little late. Our bodies just didn’t develop at a younger age.
I have that chip on my shoulder. I’m excited to play at that level. I know the game is going to be a bit faster. They’re bigger, but they move just as fast as we do in the FCS. I want to show everybody that my skill set can thrive anywhere.
JM: Speaking of, how would you describe your skill set in your own words? Self-scout yourself.
Jalyx Hunt: I’ve been asked to do this a lot lately (laughs). I would say that I use length to my advantage. I’m an athletic player. I have a good football IQ. I don’t take myself out of plays. I’m patient as I wait for plays to develop. I read the game at a high level. I would add that I have a high motor. I’m always around the football. I chase ball carriers down to the opposite side of the field.
That’s how I would describe myself. I play with a lot of athleticism. I have great length. I always play with a high motor, and I rely on my football IQ.
JM: We’re all so excited to see you in person. If you had to give yourself an NFL comp, who would you choose and why?
Jalyx Hunt: I like this question. This is who I see myself wanting to be like. Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. He’s a high-motor guy. He’s fast off the edge. He uses length. We have very similar builds coming out of college. My measurables are pretty similar to his when he was at Florida State. We’re both long guys at 240 pounds. I’m long and athletic.
I would say Brian Burns. Of course, I have some things to work on to reach that level. Those things will come with time, technique, and NFL coaching. That’s my NFL comp for myself.
JM: We’re very intrigued by that comp. What can you achieve at the Senior Bowl that you can’t at other pre-draft events?
Jalyx Hunt: I think I can improve my pre-draft stock in all honesty. All eyes are going to be on us. Everybody wants to see me perform at this level. I’m going to be performing in front of all 32 general managers. I don’t think I would get that opportunity anywhere else. I’m going to be coached by future Hall of Famers and current NFL coaches. I can’t get that knowledge and exposure anywhere but the Senior Bowl.
JM: That’s a terrific point. How would you describe your pass rush arsenal?
Jalyx Hunt: I was a speed rusher in college. I love the long arm, the long arm chop. Swipes or windshield wipers, whatever you want to call that. I worked the outside edge a lot by turning the corner. I’ll also say that one thing I’m really focusing on going into the Senior Bowl and the pre-draft process is playing with my hand in the dirt. I’m working those power moves, that speed to power. I’m cleaning up my speed rushes as well, cleaning up my hands and playing with better technique. We’re adding more counter-moves. In college, I was definitely a speed rusher that bent the edge on the outside.
JM: We love hearing that. What’s on your pre-game playlist?
Jalyx Hunt: I don’t think it’s too common (laughs). I’ve told a couple of people that I listen to Adele before a game. Her music calms me down. I have a lot of adrenaline pumping before a game. I’m ready to go. I don’t want to play out of control. Adele calms me down. I like to listen to Adele because her music mellows me out. I love her voice. She’s an amazing singer. Of course, I have my rap music as well. Lil’ Baby is on there.
Oh, Tears For Fears. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.” That has to play on game day.
JM: That’s definitely unique (laughs). It’s interesting to hear that you want to switch it up and listen to something more calm and mellow.
Jalyx Hunt: I do. It’s interesting when people find out. You know when your music disconnects from your headphones or whatever and everyone can hear what you’re listening to? My teammates are always like, that’s not what we thought you were listening to (laughs). It’s just Adele!
JM: This has been fantastic. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Jalyx Hunt?
Jalyx Hunt: A successful Senior Bowl means I showed that I’ve improved since the season. I’ve been using this time wisely. I’m going to show everybody in attendance that I’ve put on some good weight. I’m going to Mobile with some new moves in my arsenal. I’m going to show that I can perform at a high level consistently throughout the week.
A big thing for me is how I pick up things on a day-to-day basis. I don’t let the same mistake beat me twice. I can’t get beat the same way. If I do all of those things, I had a great Senior Bowl.
To break it down, I have to learn and get better every single day. I can’t let the same thing beat me. I learn from my mistakes. I have to consistently play at a high level. I want the scouts to realize that I’ve been working hard and improving in the offseason.
If I’m able to show those things, I had a successful Senior Bowl.
