2019 LB Dwain Hunt Has North Little Rock on Track for a Back-to-Back Title Run

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

When the 2017 high school football season ended, North Little Rock (13-0) proved to not only be the best team in the state of Arkansas but also one of the best in the nation ending with a No. 7 national ranking by MaxPreps. The defense put the clamps down on opposing offenses throughout the season allowing just 18 points per game on average. One of the main reasons for the great success was the leader in the middle of the box, Class of 2019 linebacker Dwain Hunt. Hunt is back at it again during his senior year helping the Charging Wildcats to a 5-0 start with a no-nonsense defense that is up to the old tricks of taking no prisoners.

Some teams can imagine what they would do against top competition from other states and try to talk tough while North Little Rock goes out and does it. The Wildcats started the season with road wins against Tulsa’s Washington (29-28) and Louisiana’s Evangel Christian (35-20) and then returned home to host visiting Memphis squad Whitehaven (46-35). In two games played against in-state competition, NLR has allowed just 22 points total in wins over Central and Conway.

The man at middle linebacker directing the defense is a 6-1, 230-pound, thumper. Hunt earned All-Conference and All-State honors as a junior tallying 93 stops. Stats for the 2018 season have not been released, but rest easy, Hunt is repeating the success again and improving along the way.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the overlooked talent to learn more about his game as the Charging Wildcats enter the heart of 7A Central Conference action with games remaining against Fort Smith Southside, Catholic High, Fort Smith Northside, Bryant, and Cabot.

Interview

Dwain, the Wildcats have taken on all challengers this year playing teams from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Tennessee, what has it been like for you getting a taste of out of state competition this year?

“It has been fun playing teams from out of state. It has been fun to see different talents and better teams from other states.”

Where all are you lining up for the Wildcats this year and how are the coaches utilizing your athleticism on defense?

“I am playing linebacker on the strong-side.”

Of the five games played, which game has been your best?

“Our first game against Washington. I had a lot of tackles. Playing in the first game of the season against an out of state team, I was going hard and excited to be back out there. I was so excited to be out there… In our third game against Whitehaven, that was a good one too. I had an interception, a sack, and a lot of tackles.”

Which game played has been the most challenging but made you a better player for it?

“Our first game. We were down two touchdowns in the fourth with four minutes to go. We had to stop them for our offense twice and get the ball back to our offense. It made all of us better leaning to stay tough and sticking together.”

You guys just took down Conway 35-14, how did that game go for you?

“It went well. I had a good game tackling.”

What are the strengths to your overall game?

“I’m running to the ball sideline to sideline, dropping back to help in coverage, and I am tackling the ball when it comes my way. I am hitting them as hard as I can this year.”

What are some of the parts of your game you work on each week in practice?

“I am always working on my steps and my coverage. I am always working on my speed and the speed of my reads.”

You guys get Southside next, what are you expecting from their offense?

“Their QB is good and he can run. They will try to throw the ball on us and run him when they can.”

With recruiting, which schools are showing interest but have not offered you yet?

“Tennessee-Martin, Arkansas State, and UCA (Central Arkansas).”

*UT-Martin offered Hunt shortly after the interview was conducted

Do you have any planned visits coming up?

“I have one to UT-Martin for an official.”

That’ll be fun. Last question. If a coach reads this interview and wants to start recruiting you, what type of student-athlete is he pursuing?

“He is pursuing a leader on and off the field. I am a hard worker in the classroom and on the field. I am a good character student-athlete and I am a very detailed person.”

Dwain, thanks for your time today and good luck on Friday against Southside.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: Hunt family; Dwain Hunt flashing the championship ring

Photo credit: Tom Lemming; No. 51 Dwain Hunt (2017)