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Football MSU Athletics Communications

Morgan State star linebacker Erick Hunter Selected to The American Bowl

The inaugural college all-star game airs on NFL Network on Thursday, January 22, 2026

BALTIMORE, Md. (Dec. 3, 2025) — The postseason recognition continues to roll in for the Morgan State Bears, and no player reflects that momentum more than standout linebacker Erick Hunter.

Hunter has added another accolade to his decorated career, accepting an invitation to participate in the inaugural American Bowl.

"Being chosen for the American Bowl means a lot. I'm thankful for the opportunity and ready to show what 'E40' can do when the lights come on. Moments like this remind me why I grind," said Hunter. "I'm representing my family, my teammates, and Morgan State every time I take the field, and I'm locked in on making the most of this opportunity."

America's newest premier college football all-star event, the American Bowl will spotlight top national prospects projected to be selected in the 4th–7th rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. The game will air in prime time on NFL Network on Thursday, January 22, at 8 p.m. ET.

The showcase occupies a prime window on the football calendar, positioned between the College Football Playoff National Championship and the NFL's AFC and NFC Championship Games. It is set to be played before an anticipated sold-out crowd of 4,000 at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

Hosted by Caribe Royale and UCF, the American Bowl delivers nationwide visibility, direct access to NFL-bound athletes, and hands-on philanthropic initiatives through in-game tributes, partnering with the military community, and engaging impact events throughout Bowl Week.
 

Hunter's invitation comes on the heels of a standout senior campaign in which he captained a Morgan State defense that ranked No. 2 nationally in sacks (34), No. 2 in forced fumbles (13), No. 3 in rushing defense, and No. 3 in interceptions (10).

Individually, Hunter entered the year as the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and fully lived up to the billing. He led the conference with 102 tackles (53 solo), 14 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks while starting all 12 games. He added five quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, and an interception, and delivered one of the season's signature highlights with a 90-yard blocked-kick return for a touchdown against Norfolk State.

Hunter's standout performance also earned him recognition as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, HBCU Player of the Year, and the Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award, along with First Team All-MEAC honors.

He closed out his collegiate career, cementing his legacy in Baltimore, finishing ranked No. 2 on Morgan State's all-time tackles list with 298 stops — a testament to his consistency, leadership, and enduring impact on the Bears' defense.


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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.
 
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Players Mentioned

Erick Hunter

#40 Erick Hunter

LB
6' 4"
Redshirt Senior

Players Mentioned

Erick Hunter

#40 Erick Hunter

6' 4"
Redshirt Senior
LB