Football | 1/21/2026 12:00:00 PM
BALTIMORE, Md. (January 21, 2026) – The postseason journey continues for former Morgan State standout linebacker Erick Hunter, who will now take the national stage as he prepares to compete in America's newest premier college football all-star event, the American Bowl.
"Coming here has been nothing but an amazing experience and opportunity to compete," Hunter said. "I'm grateful to be here, but I'm not content with just being here. I still have so much to accomplish to help make my ultimate dream come true. There's a lot of great talent here, and I'm confident the week showed that I can play anywhere."
Hunter backed up his words with strong on-field performances during Bowl Week, recording two interceptions and one pass breakup during team periods, showcasing his instincts, ball skills, and versatility in coverage.
The American Bowl will feature top national prospects projected to be selected in the fourth through seventh rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. The game will air in prime time on NFL Network on Thursday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m. ET.
The showcase occupies a premier spot on the football calendar, taking place between the College Football Playoff National Championship and the NFL AFC and NFC Championship Games. The contest will be played before an anticipated sold-out crowd of 4,000 at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.
Hunter will suit up for the Warhawks, coached by former NFL head coach Brian Billick, best known for leading the Baltimore Ravens from 1999 to 2007, including a dominant Super Bowl XXXV victory in 2001. The Warhawks will face the Guardians, coached by Mike Smith, who served as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 to 2014, becoming the franchise's winningest coach with a 66-46 record and earning AP NFL Coach of the Year honors in his debut season.
A Capitol Heights, Md., native, Hunter opened the season as the MEAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and exceeded expectations throughout the campaign. He started all 12 games and led the conference with 102 total tackles, including 53 solo stops, while adding 14 tackles for loss and four sacks. Hunter also recorded five quarterback hurries, forced four fumbles, and intercepted a pass. One of the signature moments of his senior season came against Norfolk State, when Hunter returned a blocked kick 90 yards for a touchdown.
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.
Hunter further etched his name into Morgan State history by finishing his career ranked second on the program's all-time tackles list with 298, underscoring his consistency, leadership, and impact in Baltimore.
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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.