The Brigham Young Cougars have had countless impact players come through the junior college ranks. Many make an immediate splash and have a key role on the team for multiple seasons. In the case of Shane Hunter, the opposite was true. However, when he finally got a chance to play, he make it count.
In 2007, Hunter played at Snow College. After just one season there, he transferred very quietly to BYU. He must have walked on, because there is no mention of him in the 2008 Media Guide as a member of that year's recruiting class, and he doesn't appear with the rest of the team in the player bios.
Hunter spent most of the 2008 season on the scout team. BYU was stacked at linebacker that year with juniors Matt Bauman and Shawn Doman occupying the middle linebacker spots. They were backed up by two other juniors. By the end of the season, Hunter did see some very limited action, and recorded one tackle in each of the final four games.
When 2009 came around, Hunter still could not be found on the two deep roster. He was primarily a special teams player that season. Between special teams and very limited linebacker reps, Hunter managed 15 tackles.
Hunter's senior season, the Cougar Defense was void of experience at the middle linebacker position. Through spring and fall camps, the 5-foot-10, 232 pound Hunter was able to fight off Austen Jorgensen, Zac Stout, and Aveni Leung-Wai for one of the two starting middle linebacker spots in 2010.
The first game of the season against Washington, Hunter led the team in tackles with 9 (Andrew Rich also had 9). It was easily a career high. Led by Hunter and Rich, BYU easily contained Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Jake Locker, and the Cougars got off to a 1-0 start.
Week two, Hunter recorded double digit tackles (10) for the first time. He also had the play of the game in the second half when he intercepted an Air Force pass that gave BYU the ball in great field position.
Many would consider the low point of the season a loss at Utah State, but Hunter was able to record a career high 13 tackles in that game. It was the second time he led the team in tackles. Bronco Mendenhall took over the defense after this game, but Hunter's contributions remained steady.
The next game, San Diego State, Hunter started a four game streak with a pass breakup.
In back-to-back home games against Wyoming and UNLV, Hunter led the team in tackles both games. It was the first time that season BYU had won back-to-back games. These two games were also part of a three game stretch where Hunter had a tackle-for-loss.
Hunter led the team in tackles for a fifth in his final home game as a Cougar. He made 11 stops against the New Mexico Lobos. In the final regular season game, Hunter was tied for second on the team with seven tackles. He also had an interception in the third quarter that he returned 46 yards to the Utah 19-yard line. The turnover set up a BYU touchdown that gave the Cougars a 13-0 lead against the nationally ranked Utes.
In the final game of his career, the New Mexico Bowl vs. UTEP, Hunter make four tackles, which was good enough to share the team lead with Andrew Rich.
For the season, Hunter was second on the team in tackles and fourth in pass breakups.
2010 Season Stats: 85 tackles (39 solo), 3.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 2 Int., 1 forced fumble, 1 quarterback hurry
2008-09 Stats: 19 tackles (8 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Top 10 One Hit Wonders
10. Ray Crandall (1971), John Kormylo (1978)
9. Shane Hunter (2010)
8. Reynaldo Brathwaite (2003)
7. Ezekiel Ansah (2012)
6. Ben Cahoon (1997)
5. Ryan Hancock (1992)
4. Ethan Pochman (1996)
3. Ted Nelson (1970)
2. David Mills (1984)
1. Jay Miller (1973)
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
In 2007, Hunter played at Snow College. After just one season there, he transferred very quietly to BYU. He must have walked on, because there is no mention of him in the 2008 Media Guide as a member of that year's recruiting class, and he doesn't appear with the rest of the team in the player bios.
Hunter spent most of the 2008 season on the scout team. BYU was stacked at linebacker that year with juniors Matt Bauman and Shawn Doman occupying the middle linebacker spots. They were backed up by two other juniors. By the end of the season, Hunter did see some very limited action, and recorded one tackle in each of the final four games.
When 2009 came around, Hunter still could not be found on the two deep roster. He was primarily a special teams player that season. Between special teams and very limited linebacker reps, Hunter managed 15 tackles.
Hunter's senior season, the Cougar Defense was void of experience at the middle linebacker position. Through spring and fall camps, the 5-foot-10, 232 pound Hunter was able to fight off Austen Jorgensen, Zac Stout, and Aveni Leung-Wai for one of the two starting middle linebacker spots in 2010.
The first game of the season against Washington, Hunter led the team in tackles with 9 (Andrew Rich also had 9). It was easily a career high. Led by Hunter and Rich, BYU easily contained Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Jake Locker, and the Cougars got off to a 1-0 start.
Week two, Hunter recorded double digit tackles (10) for the first time. He also had the play of the game in the second half when he intercepted an Air Force pass that gave BYU the ball in great field position.
Many would consider the low point of the season a loss at Utah State, but Hunter was able to record a career high 13 tackles in that game. It was the second time he led the team in tackles. Bronco Mendenhall took over the defense after this game, but Hunter's contributions remained steady.
The next game, San Diego State, Hunter started a four game streak with a pass breakup.
In back-to-back home games against Wyoming and UNLV, Hunter led the team in tackles both games. It was the first time that season BYU had won back-to-back games. These two games were also part of a three game stretch where Hunter had a tackle-for-loss.
Hunter led the team in tackles for a fifth in his final home game as a Cougar. He made 11 stops against the New Mexico Lobos. In the final regular season game, Hunter was tied for second on the team with seven tackles. He also had an interception in the third quarter that he returned 46 yards to the Utah 19-yard line. The turnover set up a BYU touchdown that gave the Cougars a 13-0 lead against the nationally ranked Utes.
In the final game of his career, the New Mexico Bowl vs. UTEP, Hunter make four tackles, which was good enough to share the team lead with Andrew Rich.
For the season, Hunter was second on the team in tackles and fourth in pass breakups.
2010 Season Stats: 85 tackles (39 solo), 3.5 TFL, 5 PBU, 2 Int., 1 forced fumble, 1 quarterback hurry
2008-09 Stats: 19 tackles (8 solo), 1 TFL, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Top 10 One Hit Wonders
10. Ray Crandall (1971), John Kormylo (1978)
9. Shane Hunter (2010)
8. Reynaldo Brathwaite (2003)
7. Ezekiel Ansah (2012)
6. Ben Cahoon (1997)
5. Ryan Hancock (1992)
4. Ethan Pochman (1996)
3. Ted Nelson (1970)
2. David Mills (1984)
1. Jay Miller (1973)
The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com
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