Robert Hunt has signed a massive deal to join a rival of the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South.
The former Ragin Cajuns guard agreed to a five-year, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers on Monday as the NFL’s free-agency period opened.
The Burkeville, Texas native was drafted in the second round by the Miami Dolphins in the 2020 NFL Draft and has been a strong option for the Dolphins at the right guard position, appearing in 61 games while starting in 55.
At 6’6″ and 330 pounds, Hunt was a critical piece in protecting Tua Tagovailoa in the Miami offense as the franchise quarterback has dealt with a string of concussions in the past.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hunt has a career grade of 77.1 (75.9 as a run blocker and 74.5 as a pass blocker) and has only allowed one sack in four seasons.
Hunt came to the Ragin Cajuns after an inspirational story of never giving up on your dreams. Mark Hudspeth saw the potential in the young lineman and then Billy Napier developed Hunt into an all-conference guard for the Cajuns. He was invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine but missed both due to injury. He was taken 39th overall by the Dolphins.
He went viral a couple of seasons ago when he caught a screen pass that wasn’t intended for him and nearly ran it in for a touchdown, flipping at the goal line and falling just short.