FRISCO, TX — When the final pick of the 2025 NFL Draft was announced, the Dallas Cowboys had already turned their attention to a vital next phase: securing undrafted free agents who could provide an immediate spark. Among those UDFAs, one name has quickly risen in prominence — former Georgia State linebacker Jontrey Hunter, whose explosive athleticism, hybrid coverage potential, and underrated tackling instincts have Cowboys insiders and coaches talking about making room in the linebacker rotation for the versatile defender.
According to early minicamp buzz and whispers around The Star, Hunter isn’t just another camp body. He’s a legitimate candidate to crack the 53-man roster, perhaps even leapfrog depth players for meaningful defensive snaps. “There’s something different about him,” one team source told the Dallas Morning News. “He plays like a guy who’s been overlooked his whole life — and he’s using that chip to hit like a truck.”
The Cowboys’ Linebacker Situation: Room for Disruption
The Cowboys’ linebacker corps in 2025 looks far different from recent years. With Leighton Vander Esch’s retirement, Damone Clark assuming a more prominent role, and DeMarvion Overshown returning from an ACL tear, the room has potential — but also lingering question marks. Veteran Eric Kendricks, signed in the offseason, brings leadership and knowledge, but at 33, he’s not expected to be a long-term solution.
Enter Jontrey Hunter.
Listed at 6-foot-2, 233 pounds, Hunter’s build offers prototype measurables for a weakside linebacker in Dan Quinn’s former defensive scheme — now retained in spirit by new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who returns to Dallas after a decade-long stint as a head coach in Minnesota. Zimmer may favor traditional alignment, but he’s never been shy about fielding sub-package contributors who understand leverage, pursuit, and coverage assignments.
And that’s exactly what Hunter brings.
From Underdog to Under the Microscope
A native of Florida and a high school standout who received minimal recruiting buzz, Hunter became the heart and soul of Georgia State’s defense. Over four seasons, he totaled 293 tackles, 10 sacks, and 5 forced fumbles, including a 2024 campaign where he posted 102 tackles and 4 sacks while serving as team captain.
Despite those numbers, NFL teams remained wary due to the Group of Five competition level. “If he’d played in the SEC, we wouldn’t even be talking about UDFA — he’s a Day 2 guy,” an NFC South scout told Pro Football Network. “He reads plays like a veteran and has that sixth sense when the ball’s about to bounce outside.”
Hunter’s film shows a player with explosive downhill pursuit, active hands in coverage, and the versatility to line up in multiple linebacker spots or even in the slot in “big nickel” looks. That flexibility is something the Cowboys have historically prioritized, especially under defensive minds like Zimmer and former DC Quinn.
Mike Zimmer’s Eyes Light Up
While Zimmer’s return to the Cowboys — where he once served as defensive coordinator from 2000–2006 — has placed him back into the spotlight, what’s clear early on is that he wants his defense to play with instinct, speed, and a violent edge. Hunter embodies all three.
During the team’s rookie minicamp, Hunter reportedly stood out in 7-on-7 drills with his ability to mirror tight ends, disengage from contact in the flat, and demonstrate sideline-to-sideline speed. Zimmer noticed. “He’s not just fast,” Zimmer said. “He’s football fast. His recognition is ahead of most rookies.”
With the Cowboys transitioning into a defense that blends 4–3 base looks with nickel as the primary formation, a player like Hunter fits the modern mold. He can serve as a WILL linebacker in base, then stay on the field in sub-packages. His coverage against running backs and short-area zone awareness could challenge even established veterans.
Special Teams: The Path to Playing Time
As with most undrafted players, the clearest path to a roster spot is through special teams — and Hunter has embraced it. Cowboys ST coordinator John Fassel has already praised his energy and instincts during drills, calling him a “day-one contributor candidate.”
Hunter covered both punt and kickoff units in college, earning praise from Georgia State’s coaching staff for his willingness to fly into traffic and disrupt returns. That kind of mentality has long been rewarded by Fassel, who coached several core special teams standouts who began their careers as undrafted rookies.
“He’s like a bullet out there,” one Cowboys scout said. “You don’t teach that kind of motor.”
If Hunter earns a key role on special teams, it becomes even easier for the team to justify keeping him on the 53-man roster — and from there, the opportunity for rotational snaps on defense is real.
Making Room: Who’s On the Bubble?
To create space for Hunter, the Cowboys may have to part ways with a more established name. That could include:
- Malik Jefferson, a former Texas standout who’s bounced around the league and has yet to find a lasting home.
- Buddy Johnson, a 2021 fourth-round pick by the Steelers who signed with Dallas for depth but hasn’t made much noise.
- Or even Markquese Bell, a hybrid safety/linebacker who earned some praise last year but may find himself in a positional numbers crunch.
The team could also consider keeping an extra linebacker instead of an additional cornerback or defensive tackle, especially if Hunter proves invaluable on special teams.
Cowboys Front Office Philosophy Aligns with Hunter’s Opportunity
The Cowboys have made a living off of finding undrafted gems, especially on defense. From Tony Romo to Cole Beasley, Terence Steele, and more recently Markquese Bell, the front office — led by Will McClay and supported by the Jones family — continues to invest heavily in scouting and post-draft recruiting.
Jontrey Hunter fits the mold.
“We don’t care where a guy comes from,” McClay said during the post-draft press conference. “If he can ball, he’ll get a shot. And from what we’ve seen early on, Hunter can definitely ball.”
Player Perspective: Bet on Myself
In his first interview after signing with Dallas, Hunter spoke about how he’s carried a chip on his shoulder since high school.
“I’ve always had to prove people wrong,” he said. “I didn’t get the stars, I didn’t get the big offers, and now I didn’t get drafted. That just fuels me even more. I came here to take someone’s spot. Respectfully.”
He also noted how he studies linebackers like Fred Warner, Bobby Wagner, and even former Cowboys LB Sean Lee to refine his angles, recognition, and footwork. “It’s a game of inches,” Hunter added. “If I can see it half a second earlier, I make the play.”
Coaches Seeing More Than Just Potential
By all accounts, this isn’t a simple case of camp hype. Hunter is backing up the buzz with consistent execution. He’s earned first looks in linebacker drills, been trusted with defensive signals during second-team walkthroughs, and reportedly received a handful of first-team reps by the end of rookie minicamp.
Zimmer’s staff has taken a quiet interest in molding him, including extra film sessions, one-on-one coaching, and slotting him into multiple roles during drills — all signs that they see long-term potential.
“Every day, he checks another box,” said a Cowboys defensive assistant. “It’s no longer about ‘if’ he makes the team. It’s ‘where’ we use him once he does.”
Looking Ahead: What Needs to Happen Next
As training camp nears in Oxnard, Hunter must continue to:
- Dominate Special Teams: Cement himself on every return and coverage unit.
- Show Versatility: Maintain consistent performance in both base and nickel packages.
- Force Turnovers: Capitalize in preseason games with impact plays (sacks, forced fumbles, interceptions).
- Stay Healthy: Availability is everything for fringe-roster players.
With the Cowboys looking to return to the NFC Championship game — or beyond — any edge in depth and speed will matter. And Jontrey Hunter could quietly be the kind of player who keeps a playoff-caliber defense running smoothly deep into December.
Final Word: From UDFA to Unexpected Asset
Every year, a handful of undrafted players rewrite the narrative. Last year, it was Ivan Pace Jr. with the Vikings. This year, Jontrey Hunter could be that name for the Dallas Cowboys.
While it’s still early, all signs point to a franchise that believes in his tools, temperament, and trajectory. “He just gets it,” one Cowboys vet said. “Some guys you need to coach up. He walks in already knowing what to do.”
In a linebacker room hungry for answers and physicality, Hunter may soon be more than a surprise signing — he could be a rotational force by midseason.
And in Dallas, where championships are the standard, having one more weapon on defense might make all the difference.