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Football MSU Athletics Communications

Morgan State’s Erick Hunter Earns Spot on New England Patriots’ 53-Man Roster

BALTIMORE, Md. (Sept. 1, 2026) – Former Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter has earned a spot on the New England Patriots' 53-man roster, marking the latest milestone in the standout defensive player's journey from Morgan State to the National Football League.
 
The Patriots announced Tuesday that they have signed Hunter to their 53-man roster. The 23-year-old linebacker originally signed with the Detroit Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent on May 12, 2026, following his standout career at Morgan State. Detroit released Hunter on Aug. 30 before he quickly found a new opportunity with New England.
 
A native of Capitol Heights, Md., Hunter finished his Morgan State career as one of the most productive defensive players in program history, ranking second all-time with 298 total tackles in 45 games.
 
Hunter capped his collegiate career with a dominant 2025 campaign. The preseason MEAC Defensive Player of the Year started all 12 games and led the conference with 102 total tackles, including 53 solo stops. He also recorded 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, and one interception.
 
One of the defining plays of Hunter's senior season came against Norfolk State when he returned a blocked kick 90 yards for a touchdown, adding a game-changing special teams play to an already impressive defensive season.
 
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His performance earned Hunter numerous postseason accolades. He was named All-MEAC First Team and earned Stats Perform FCS Second-Team All-America, Phil Steele FCS Third-Team All-America, and FCS Football Central All-American recognition. He was also a Buck Buchanan Award finalist, earned BOXTOROW HBCU All-America honors, and accepted an invitation to participate in the inaugural American Bowl.
 
Hunter's impact extended beyond the field as well. He was recognized as the 2025-26 MEAC Male Student-Athlete of the Year, further highlighting his accomplishments during his time at Morgan State.
 
Hunter's addition to the Patriots continues a growing pipeline of former Bears competing at the highest level of professional football.
 
He becomes the second Morgan State linebacker to join the New England Patriots, following former Bear Elandon Roberts. Roberts was selected by New England in the sixth round of the 2016 NFL Draft after beginning his collegiate career at Morgan State before transferring to the University of Houston. He went on to become a key contributor for the Patriots, including helping New England capture Super Bowl LI.
 
Hunter also joins former Morgan State teammate Elijah Williams, who currently plays for the Minnesota Vikings. Williams and Hunter were teammates in Baltimore, where they helped anchor the Bears' defense before taking their talents to the professional level.
 
Williams, who established himself as one of the most productive defensive linemen in Morgan State history, finished his collegiate career as the program's all-time leader in sacks and tackles for loss. He earned an opportunity with the Vikings and has continued his professional career in Minnesota.
 
The path from Morgan State to the NFL continues to grow, with Hunter and Williams representing the latest examples of Bears making an impact at the highest level of football.
 
For Hunter, the opportunity with New England represents the beginning of a new chapter.
 
After leading the MEAC in tackles, establishing himself among Morgan State's all-time defensive leaders, and earning national recognition, Hunter now turns his attention to the NFL.
 
From Capitol Heights to Baltimore and now Foxborough, Erick Hunter is a Bear on the move.


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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master's degree, doctorate, and certificate programs. 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