Hunter eager to lead Buford to title
By Brandon Brigman
BUFORD - Omar Hunter grew up knowing the expectations of Buford football.
As an eighth-grader he was on the sidelines, watching in amazement as Darius Walker and the 2003 team went undefeated for a third straight season and won a third state title.
But since then the Wolves have only played for one state championship and this year's senior class is in danger of becoming the first squad to leave without a ring since 2000.
"Actually, we have talked about that," Hunter said. "We are the only senior class that hasn't won it in the last four or five years. But we don't let that get to us. We just go out there and work hard and get it done."
Which is why this season the goals are simple.
"Definitely, just to win a state championship, that's all I care about. Nothing else," Hunter said.
For the last three years it's been Charlton County that has kept Buford from continuing its title run, and Hunter would like nothing better than another shot against the defending state champs.
"I think it has to come through Charlton," Hunter said. "For me to feel it's legit, I think it has to come through Charlton."
Since losing to Charlton in December it's been a hectic off season for Hunter. He broke his leg on the first day of spring practice while blocking on offense. A running back kicked the 300-pounder in the leg during a play and Hunter went down with the injury, which he called a "freak accident."
Hunter got reassurance from his coach that the injury wasn't serious, but it was still tough for the senior not being on the field with his teammates."
"I've always looked forward to my senior year just being able to work hard and be a leader on the team," Hunter said. "When you're hurt and can't be out there with the team it gets to you a little bit."
If there was any good news to having a broken leg it was that it allowed him to focus on his college recruitment. As one of the top defensive linemen in country, Hunter had offers from several major Division I programs like Florida, Michigan and Auburn. But Hunter, who is rated No. 6 nationally by Rivals.com and No. 9 by Scout.com at his position, chose to commit to Notre Dame in June.
"I wanted to get it over with because I wanted to focus on my senior year. A championship is all I want this year," Hunter said.
"I hope I can come in and get some playing time right off the bat, but I'm going to have to work hard for that."
It's hard to imagine at 6-foot-1, 310 pounds that Hunter was once a promising running back in the Buford youth leagues. He began playing football when he was 8 and continued as a running back until the spring of his sophomore year when, weighing around 240 pounds, it was suggested that Hunter switch to defensive tackle. Now he's one of the best linemen to ever come through Gwinnett County.
"Omar has a chance to be the best defensive lineman. We've had some guys be really special players in Aaron Scranton, Neil Brown, Shun Williams, there's a bunch of them," Buford coach Jess Simpson said. "He's probably got all of those guys' best characteristics and then some. He has the most size and strength of any of them, he's got about as good as size and speed as say Neil Brown. He's kind of the total package."
With the help of strength and conditioning coach Dicky May, Hunter has become one of the strongest players in the program's history.
His 415-pound bench press is a school record and his 450-pound squat and 325-pound power clean aren't bad either considering he's been in rehabiliation for a broken leg all summer. And just for good measure, Hunter runs a 4.73-second 40-yard dash, which he attributes to his background as a running back.
"To be as talented and as special an athlete as he is, and you probably don't put guys like that in an athlete category, but he is a 6-1, 300-pound athlete," Simpson said. "He can dunk a basketball, runs a great 40 time, is very explosive. But to have all of those tools and to be as humble as he is, it's really a unique personality."
A menace on the field routinely getting doubled teamed, Hunter recorded 85 tackles, including 13 tackles for losses last season. But off the field he's totally different. Simpson said he's just a nice guy who is loved by his peers, teammates, teachers and people in the community.
But Hunter also wants to be known for what a lot of other Buford players are remembered for - winning a state championship.
"Everybody always says that probably that 2003 team was the best to come through Buford," Hunter said. "We just want our senior class to be the best."
