UK Commit DJ Hunter in Rehab Still ‘looks good’

Kentucky offensive coordinator Busch Hamdan came to Knoxville last week to see quarterback DJ Hunter.

DJ Hunter moved to Knoxville for the 2024 season after starting his prep football career at Horn Lake, Miss.  The 6-2, 195-pound Hunter, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds and has a 34-inch vertical jump, threw for 1,135 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman in seven games and then threw for 1,431 yards and nine scores in 2024 in eight games.

Hunter was so impressive as a sophomore that he had numerous major scholarship offers and committed to Kentucky in April.

During an appearance on WLAP Sunday Morning Sports Talk he explained why he only played in eight games in 2024. He sprained his AC joint in his team’s second game and was out for three weeks. He sprained his ankle in his first game back — but finished the game —  and had to miss another game. Hunter played the final two regular-season games but suffered ACL and meniscus tears in the state quarterfinals.

He had to have surgery in January but is back throwing and said he should be cleared for full contact in late July.

“I started back throwing two weeks ago. Kentucky came to see me throw Friday,” Hunter said. “I will be back for full contact in July but I’ll be back moving around, running around and stuff like that like late June or in early July.”

Hunter says both his father and physical therapist preach patience to him.

“They won’t let me overdo it too quick,” Hunter said.

Kentucky offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan came to Knoxville to watch Hunter throw last week.

“He said everything looks good, he said my mechanics look fluid. Everything looks good, the ball is coming off my hand good,” Hunter said.

That’s important because he considers himself a pass-first quarterback even though he has the size and speed to be an effective runner.

“I feel like I’m more of a passer, but I can really run if I really need to. If I have the opportunity to run, I’m going to take it, but it’s not my number one priority. I’m a pass-first quarterback. I’m looking to pass all the time, but if there is an opportunity to run, I’ll take it,” the Kentucky commit said.

Hunter said breaking down the UK offense with the Kentucky coaches on his visit to UK was much like what former NFL coach Jon Gruden does with his TV analysis with top quarterbacks.

“But they also want to see the type of person I am,” he said.

Hunter’s personality got tested a bit Saturday when a minor earthquake hit the Knoxville area.

“I felt it. Everybody in the house did,” Hunter said. “I didn’t know what it was. I thought it was my sisters in there making a racket, but I realized it was bigger than that but I didn’t realize what it was until it had got done.”