CAREER
Four-year letterman … Played in 23 career games with three starts at safety over four seasons at Columbia as a defensive back and on special teams … Finished career with 40 tackles (19 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss for three yards, two interceptions, two pass breakups and one forced fumble … Also scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery off blocked punt as a first-year at Harvard.
2019
Saw action in all 10 games with three starts as a senior free safety … Listed for majority of year as the backup free safety but started each of Columbia’s last three games … Also saw action on special teams … Ranked No. 5 on the squad in tackles with 38 (18 solo), contributed 1.5 tackle for loss, one interception, one forced fumble and two pass breakups … Ranked No. 47 in the Ivy League in tackles per game (3.8) … Made four tackles (three solo) with a pass breakup in season finale at Cornell (Nov. 23) … Intercepted second career pass, made one tackle in start vs. Brown (Nov. 16) … In first career start vs. Harvard, made five tackles with 1.0 tackle for loss … Made four tackles (three solo) with a forced fumble at Dartmouth (Oct. 25) … Finished with three tackles with a pass breakup vs. Penn (Oct. 19) … Totaled a career-high 10 tackles (five solo), 0.5 tackle for loss vs. Central Connecticut State (Oct. 12) … Finished with a then-career-high seven tackles (two solo) at Princeton (Oct. 5) … Made two tackles in season opener at Saint Francis, Pa. (Sept. 21).
2018
Saw action in three of 10 games as a junior defensive back/safety … Listed for majority of year as backup safety … Also played on special teams.
2017
Saw action in five games on the year after missing the season’s first four games with injuries … Backup safety and key contributor on special teams … Made one tackle on the year … Intercepted first career pass in first action of the season at Marist (Oct. 7) … Registered solo tackle in season finale vs. Brown (Nov. 18).
2016
Saw action in five games as a freshman defensive back … With his one punt return for touchdown, ranked No. 5 in the nation in punt return touchdowns …. Picked up blocked punt and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown and recorded first career tackle at Harvard (Nov. 5) … Saw first career action at Wagner (Oct. 8).
HIGH SCHOOL
A 2016 graduate of Consumnes Oaks High School in Elk Grove, Calif. where he played two years of varsity football for head coach Chris Nixon … Received First Team Capital Valley Conference honors as a senior… Second Team Sacramento Bee All-Metropolitan honoree … Played on both sides of the ball with 65 tackles, four interceptions, six pass breakups at safety and 339 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns (long of 55 yards), 14 receptions for 279 yards and two TDs at receiver … Also was the team’s placekicker and kickoff specialist … Named team’s Most Versatile Athlete … Led team to three Capital Valley Conference championships … Led the Thundering Herd to a 13-1 overall record, 7-0 league record and state playoff appearance as a senior … Helped lead Thundering Herd to a 10-3 overall record and CVC title as a junior … Ranked a three-star recruit and the nation’s No. 104 safety, the No. 16 safety in California by Scout.com … Rated a three-star recruit by 247sports.com … Rated a two-star safety by Rivals.com … Also competed in track and field … His personal bests include a 22.95 in the 200-meters, 49.45 in the 400-meters, 2.03.34 in the 800-meters … Three-time Academic Honor Roll athlete.
PERSONAL
Born Hunter Henry Lunsford on October 21, 1997 in Sacramento, Calif. … Son of Gary and Amy Lunsford of Elk Grove, Calif. … Father is a firefighter who attended CSU-Sacramento … Mother also attended CSU-Sacramento and is a teacher at Stone Lake Elementary School … Chose Columbia over offers from Air Force, Brown, New Mexico and Navy and received interest from Army West Point, Boise State, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Duke, Fresno State, Sacramento State, Northwestern, Oregon State, San Diego State, San Jose State, Stanford, Utah, UCLA, Washington and Washington State … Enrolled at Columbia College … Majors in Psychology.
