Morton Ranch Grad Signs $72 Million NFL Contract Extension

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

July 2, 2018

Natalie Cook Clark & Ashley Lancaster

Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter was named the 2018 Breakout Star, and signed an extension with the team for $72 million last Wednesday.

Katy, Texas' Danielle Hunter proudly represents his hometown by shining in the big leagues with a new $72 million contract extension from the Minnesota Vikings.

Hunter signed with the Vikings in 2015, and his electrifying performance resulted in a 5-year contract extension for $72 million, with a $15 million signing bonus. These contract terms place him in the Top 10 highest paid defensive players in the NFL - impressive, considering that the DE is only 23 years old. On paper, his 2017 season may not look like much, with 25.5 sacks under his belt in his three seasons - but he hasn't been a starter. The Vikings began to set him loose on the opposing offense and saw his incredible potential.

From Maverick to Tiger and now Viking

Hunter was a football and track and field star graduate from Katy ISD's Morton Ranch High School. After he graduated from Morton Ranch he attended LSU from 2012-2014 where he was a two-year starter and defensive end. According to the NFL Network's Peter Schrager Hunter is pegged as a "breakout star" for 2018 because of the talent that the Vikings have along their defensive front Hunter is rarely going to see double teams. He should have the ability to terrorize opposing offenses while only having to beat one guy. The other team can’t double team everyone, so the Vikings’ defensive line should have the ability to make a play on almost every snap. In football terms this is huge.

"I was shaking with excitement," Hunter told the Vikings' official website. "I was like, is this real."

Hunter is an American born in Jamaica but spent his formative years in Katy, Texas where he grew to love football. Many can't wait to see what the season has in store for this 23 year old.

The Vikings have been praised and noted for being strategic in their deals to open a window into the championship season. Could we see a Katy native in a Super Bowl game this year? From the sounds of the stats it could come to be.

The NFL season opener is September 7. The Vikings have their first preseason game on Saturday August 11 vs. the Denver Broncos. Their first regular season game is slated for Sunday September 9 vs. the San Francisco 49ers.

With the NFL Football season quickly approaching it's time to prep your Fantasy Football roster. Are you including Katy's Danielle Hunter in your roster? What do you think of the Vikings' strategy to go for a championship? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

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