MARS HILL, N.C. - Saturday’s win for the Shaw University football program got the Bears in the win column for the first time this season, and for junior linebacker Devon Hunt, a native of Richmond County, it was a record-breaking afternoon.
Hunt, a graduate of Richmond Senior High School in 2016 and a former standout Raider player, broke Shaw’s all-time individual tackles record Saturday. He surpassed the previous record of 196 career tackles, which was held for over a decade by former Bear Torrance Nunnelly (2003-2006).
Entering the Week 2 matchup against the Lions, Hunt had accumulated 179 tackles through his first two full seasons at Shaw. In the season-opening loss last Saturday to Hampton University, the 6-1, 220-pounder collected 12 tackles, including a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss, to bring his career total to 191.
Needing only six more tackles to stand alone at the top of the Bears’ record book, Hunt did what he needed to do.
Early in the third quarter, Hunt dragged down Mars Hill quarterback Austin Brown at the Bears’ eight-yard line on third-and-goal to etch his name in history. On the very next play, Hunt and fellow Bear Eric Walker teamed up to stop a Ty Snelson catch shy of the goal line to force a turnover on downs.
“It feels good, and I didn’t really expect any of this,” Hunt said in an exclusive phone call with ROSports after his record-setting performance. “I just try to come in and work hard and earn it. I just want to thank the Lord for blessing me.”
Finishing the day with 14 tackles (12 solo, two assists) in the 27-9 win on the road, Hunt’s new career total is 205 tackles. He collected five tackles in the first half, and tied Nunnelly’s previous record in the closing seconds of the second quarter, when he and teammate Thurman Trapp tackled Brown on the final play before the break.
On the day, Hunt also had two tackles for loss, including one sack for a six-yard drop. He added a pass break-up and a quarterback hurry on Brown.
Prior to this season starting, Hunt was one of two defensive Bears players named to the All-Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association’s (CIAA) preseason football team. It was the second time in two years that the criminal justice major earned the Division II preseason honor. Joining him was sophomore linebacker Jaleel Scroggins.
During his freshman campaign in 2016, Hunt tallied 89 total tackles, and followed up with 90 total knockdowns as a sophomore in 2017. Of his tackles last year, 59 were solo grabs and 31 were assists, as he led the Bears in both categories.
In his 10 games played in 2017, Hunt also recorded a team-leading nine tackles per game, while also tallying 8.5 tackles for loss (second best on the team) and two sacks (tied for third best on the team). He said his goal this season was to eclipse to 100-tackle mark.
“I’m off to a good start trying to reach my goal,” Hunt said of his 26 tackles through two games. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and not take any days off. There’s no slacking off and I’ll continue to grind.”
Hunt has also earned a handful of honors while at Shaw, including the CIAA’s “Defensive Rookie of the Year,” as well as ““Rookie of the Week” twice in 2016. He finished his freshman season by being named “Linebacker of the Week” and was named CIAA second-team all-conference.
Shaw is now 1-1 on the season, and Hunt will look to widen the gap on his new record next week as the Bears will host Chowan University to open CIAA play.
