Introduction
Danielle Hunter is one of the most dominant pass rushers in the NFL. Known for his explosive speed, long arms, and relentless motor, he has carved out a reputation as a disruptive force on defense. In this comprehensive profile, we dive into everything you want to know about him: his physical attributes, college roots at LSU, draft journey, contract history, personal life, and more.
Early Life and Background
Danielle Hunter was born on October 29, 1994, in St. Catherine, Jamaica. When he was about 8 years old, his family moved to Katy, Texas, where Hunter grew up and discovered his athletic talents. He attended Morton Ranch High School in Katy, playing high school football, and also competed in track & field (high jump, long jump, sprints), showing early athletic versatility.
Height and Weight
One of the most striking things about Hunter is his size combined with his speed. According to NFL and Pro-Football-Reference data:
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Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
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Weight: ~263 lbs (119 kg)
These physical traits give him the ideal frame for a pass rusher — long arms, high leverage, and enough mass to set the edge.
Age
As of 2025, Danielle Hunter is 31 years old, having been born in October 1994. His age places him in his athletic prime, combining experience with physical capability.
College Career – LSU
Hunter played his college football at LSU (Louisiana State University). He was at LSU from 2012 to 2014, participating in 38 games and making 23 starts. Over his college career, he recorded:
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142 total tackles
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21.0 tackles for loss
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4.5 sacks
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Several pass breakups and forced fumbles
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Even scored on a 25-yard fumble return.
In his junior season (2014), he started all 13 games and ranked high on the team in tackles and tackles for loss, establishing himself as a key piece of LSU’s defensive line. After that season, he opted to declare for the NFL Draft, foregoing his final year of eligibility.
NFL Draft
Danielle Hunter entered the 2015 NFL Draft, and was selected by the Minnesota Vikings:
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Round: 3
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Overall pick: 88th
His draft status reflected both his high potential and some perceived risk, but it turned out to be a strong value pick for Minnesota.
Professional Career
Minnesota Vikings (2015–2023)
Hunter began his NFL journey with the Vikings. In his rookie season (2015), though he wasn’t a full-time starter, he still managed to tally 6.0 sacks, second among rookies, showing early signs of pass-rushing prowess. Over the years in Minnesota, he grew into a cornerstone of the defense, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and a big contract extension.
In 2018, Hunter signed a five-year, $72 million extension with the Vikings. That deal included $40 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus. He rewarded faith in him with a dominant 2018 campaign: 14.5 sacks, 72 tackles, and a defensive touchdown on a fumble recovery. He made the Pro Bowl that season, and also earned Second-team All-Pro honors.
Hunter continued to be a disruptive force in the Vikings’ defensive front for several seasons, despite some injury setbacks. Over his time in Minnesota, he built a reputation as a high-effort, high-impact edge rusher.
Houston Texans (2024–present)
In March 2024, Hunter signed with the Houston Texans. The deal was for 2 years, $49 million, with $48 million guaranteed and a $21 million signing bonus.
His performance in Houston impressed the team. In March 2025, the Texans agreed to a one-year extension worth $35.6 million, locking him in through the 2026 season. According to reports, this extension puts him among the highest-paid defensive ends in the league.
Career Stats & Highlights
Some of the key stats and career accomplishments for Danielle Hunter include:
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Over 110 sacks in his NFL career (as of 2025).
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More than 500 total tackles.
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14 forced fumbles.
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5× Pro Bowl selections (2018, 2019, 2022–2024).
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Second-team All-Pro in 2018.
Personal Life: Does Danielle Hunter Have a Wife?
Information about Danielle Hunter’s personal life, especially his relationship status, is relatively private:
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Publicly available profiles (e.g., Wikipedia) do not list a wife or spouse.
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There is no confirmed, reliable media coverage from major sports outlets about him being married as of 2025.
Some less authoritative sites (such as personal biography-style pages) note a “Lisa” as his wife, but these sources are not well substantiated and lack verifiable confirmation.
Conclusion: As of now, there’s no credible public confirmation that Danielle Hunter is married. He keeps his personal life notably private.
Impact and Playing Style
Danielle Hunter has earned respect across the league for his:
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Explosiveness off the edge: He has a rare combination of size and speed, making him a threat on every snap.
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Long arms and reach: These give him leverage to disrupt offensive linemen.
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High motor: Hunter plays hard on every down, making him effective not just in pass rush but in run defense.
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Durability (mostly): Despite some injury history, he has played many seasons at a high level.
His move to Houston was seen as a homecoming of sorts (he grew up in the Houston area), and his extension reflects how highly the Texans value his presence.
Challenges & Injuries
Hunter has faced some adversity, including injury setbacks. For example, in past seasons with Minnesota, he had a neck surgery that caused him to miss time. But he has shown resilience, bouncing back to produce at a high level.
Legacy & Future Outlook
At 31, Hunter is still a premier pass rusher with proven production. With his contract secured through 2026, his future seems stable, and he remains central to the Texans’ defensive ambitions.
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If he remains healthy, he could continue to stockpile sacks and possibly challenge for all-time franchise sack records (depending on how the next few seasons go).
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He also brings leadership: as a veteran edge rusher, he can mentor younger players on the Texans’ defensive front.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: How tall is Danielle Hunter?
A1: Danielle Hunter is 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) tall.
Q2: How much does Danielle Hunter weigh?
A2: He weighs approximately 263 lbs (119 kg).
Q3: What college did Danielle Hunter attend?
A3: He played college football at LSU (Louisiana State University).
Q4: When was Danielle Hunter drafted, and by which team?
A4: He was drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft, in the 3rd round, 88th overall, by the Minnesota Vikings.
Q5: What is Danielle Hunter’s current NFL contract?
A5: He signed a two-year, $49 million deal with the Texans in March 2024. In March 2025, he agreed to a one-year extension worth $35.6 million through the 2026 season.
Q6: How old is Danielle Hunter?
A6: He was born on October 29, 1994, making him 31 years old (as of 2025).
Q7: Is Danielle Hunter married / Does he have a wife?
A7: There is no confirmed public record from reliable major sports outlets that states he is married. Some private biography pages suggest a “Lisa,” but these are not verified.
Q8: How many Pro Bowls has Danielle Hunter made?
A8: He has been selected to the Pro Bowl five times: in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Conclusion
Danielle Hunter’s journey from Jamaica to Texas, and then to LSU and into the NFL, is a compelling story of talent, dedication, and impact. Standing at 6′5″ and 263 lbs, he has the ideal build for an elite pass rusher — and his production in both Minnesota and Houston has backed up his physical gifts. While his contract with the Texans ensures he remains a key part of their defense, he keeps much of his personal life private, including any details about a wife or marriage.
As he continues his career, fans and analysts will undoubtedly watch to see how many more sacks he can rack up, and what further legacy he builds in the league.
