Plays To Contact

PHILADELPHIA – Seek-and-destroy missions have become customary for Eagles second-year pass-rusher Jalyx Hunt, with quarterbacks and opposing tackles representing collateral damage as he leaves them in his wake.

His battery seemingly always juiced, Hunt’s wheels are already in motion when the ball is snapped, revving up his engine before attacking full steam ahead. Lightening quick off the line, Hunt combats tackles with quickness and physicality, his hand usage violent and tactical.

Through his first two seasons, it’s become evident that Hunt craves contact – and those assigned to slow him down appear increasingly overwhelmed.

While the Houston Christian product has rapidly morphed into a polished, and menacing, product, to be sure, the contact aspect of the sport initially took some getting used to, which Hunt attributes to his earliest days of playing football. The revelation for Hunt began in third grade, to be specific, while playing for the Boonsboro Colts – and later Hagerstown Chiefs – growing up in Hagerstown, Md.

Eagles second-year EDGE Jalyx Hunt led the team in both sacks and interceptions.

“Those Pee Wee league coaches, at least in my story, they helped me so much,” he said. “They taught me football, they taught me toughness. There’s always those kids who stand out right away when the get on that Pee Wee field, and my biggest thing was contact, because it’s not natural to run into another human being and not stop or be OK with it.

“So, helping me get over that and helping me build my confidence and just work hard, and if you work hard in anything – even if it doesn’t turn out how you want it to turn out – you can do it.”

Years later, Hunt continues to exude the toughness and tenacity enforced at an early age, which has greatly aided in his second-year surge. For perspective, Hunt this season became the first player in Eagles history to lead the team in both sacks (6.5) and interceptions (3). He added the third, and most impressive, interception to his total Sunday, reading the eyes of Commanders quarterback Josh Johnson to secure a diving, athletic snare.

“To be the first to ever do anything is something that is extremely cool,” he reflected. “It’s something, not necessarily that I chase, but it’s something that has been achieved by me before in just different ways, but to add something to the box is really cool. To do that in a loss kinda sucked, but it gave me some confidence going into the playoffs, for sure.”

Hunt credits Matt Leo, a player development assistant and once a member of the team via the International Pathway Program, for helping him understand tackles each week. He also referenced the Friday catch circuit, with Hunt lauding head coach Nick Sirianni for drilling ball skills and emphasizing, with urgency, to catch the ball and get on your back.

Hunt listens to the directives from the wide receiver group, which covers everything from landmarks when catching the ball to hand placement.

Hunt, not long ago a safety at Cornell, retained the ball skills, perfectly complementing his refined pass rush prowess. When it comes to his position, Hunt possesses a wide-ranging skill set that qualifies as rare, even in the modern era. Not only can he harass quarterbacks and set the edge with physicality, but this season has discovered Hunt’s natural flair for dropping and reacting in coverage.

The latter isn’t something Hunt takes for granted, but works to enhance, ensuring he’s prepared to make the play when the moment presents itself.

“We do that drill on the sideline all the time, believe it or not,” he explained. “I think we do it twice in a catch circuit. Just getting to the ball and locating the ball and pinning your body between the offensive player and where the ball’s going and getting on your back as best you can, so there’s no type of replay that they can take the ball away. It’s a catch, regardless. I didn’t full get to my back … I tried to get to my side. But we still got it.”

Hunt entered his second postseason in a decidedly different role than the one he found himself in this time last year, when he boasted a modest snap share at the back end of a rotation. He logged 21 snaps in the Wild Card matchup last season against the Packers, producing a pair of tackles, but his role this Sunday will be expanded – and expectedly more impactful.

Working in Hunt’s favor is that he never wavered in who he was entering the league; it’s the intangible piece – mastering assignments and grasping job requirements – that’s served as the driving force contributing to his second-year breakthrough. The lights might get a bit brighter this week, but Hunt is armed with unflappable poise and confidence, complementing his game-wrecking tendencies.

“I’ve always known I belonged, but now I’m definitely more confident in my preparation” he said. “I’m more confident in my job description, and I know what I need to do and what I can do. And so, just banking on that and being able to do that on Sunday is exciting to me.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com