BALTIMORE, Md. (Aug. 7, 2025) -- Morgan State standout linebacker Erick Hunter is garnering significant national attention, exemplified by his recent inclusion on the prestigious 101st Annual East-West Shrine Bowl 1,000 Watchlist.
Fresh off being named the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, this latest national honor only adds to Hunter's growing legacy. The dual recognition highlights not only his dominance in the conference but also his rising stock on the national stage — marking him as a force to be reckoned with and a must-watch talent in 2025.
Despite missing most of the 2024 season, Hunter's return in the final two games was a powerful display of resilience and impact. He quickly reminded everyone of his talent, closing the year with a standout performance against Howard — recording seven tackles and a sack.
Hunter, who ranks ninth all-time at Morgan State with 196 career tackles, has firmly established himself as one of the premier defenders in the FCS. In 2023, he led the MEAC with 75 tackles during the regular season and ranked sixth in tackles for loss (9.5). His stat line also included seven quarterback hurries, three sacks (No. 11 in the MEAC), two forced fumbles, two interceptions, and a pass breakup.
Hunter enters the upcoming season with an impressive and expanding list of preseason accolades, solidifying his status as one of the most highly anticipated players to watch.
The standout from Capitol Heights, Md., has gained national attention ahead of the 2025 season, highlighted by his inclusion on the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List—marking him as a leading candidate for FCS Defensive Player of the Year honors. Hunter's expanding list of achievements also includes the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Second Team, Phil Steele's Preseason All-MEAC First Team, and the BOXTOROW HBCU Preseason All-America First Team, further establishing his reputation as one of the nation's top defenders.
The 101st annual East-West Shrine Bowl will be played on Tuesday, January 27th, in Frisco, TX, at Ford Center at The Star. The game will kick off at 7:00 pm ET and will be nationally televised on the NFL Network.
Morgan is set to open its 2025 football season on the road Saturday, August 30, with a challenging out-of-conference matchup against the University of South Alabama Jaguars. This highly anticipated season-opening showdown for Morgan will kick off at 7 p.m., taking place on the Jaguars' home turf at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
Season tickets for the 2025 campaign are now available. Click here to purchase.
About the Shrine Bowl
The East-West Shrine Bowl is the nation's oldest college all-star football game, serving as a showcase for top senior talent from across the country. Held annually in partnership with the NFL, the game provides players a unique opportunity to impress scouts, coaches, and executives ahead of the NFL Draft. In addition to competing on the field, participants support the game's charitable mission by benefiting Shriners Children's and their commitment to providing world-class pediatric care, regardless of families' ability to pay.
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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.
