Hunter was born in Tyler, Texas. He attended John Tyler High School in Tyler, where he played football and ran track. In football, he rushed for 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Hunter was listed as the No. 40 running back prospect in the nation. Hunter suffered a knee injury in high school that limited his potential suitors. Hunter was a first-team all-district selection following his junior season during which he rushed for 1,056 yards and twelve touchdowns. He also competed in track & field. He was timed at 11.3 seconds in the 100 meter dash as a senior. He was also a member of the 4 × 100 m relay.
College career
While attending Oklahoma State University, Hunter played for coach Mike Gundy's Oklahoma State Cowboys football team from 2007 to 2010. He was the nation's seventh leading rusher with 119.6 yards per game, including nine 100-yard rushing games, in 2008. He led the Big 12 Conference in rushing by more than 30 yards per game. He was named a first-team All-American after his sophomore season in 2008, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a senior in 2010. As a senior, he was also a finalist for the Doak Walker award which was won by LaMichael James, his teammate with San Francisco until James's release in 2014.
College statistics
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
Hunter was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth round in the 2011 NFL Draft. Hunter received his first start of his NFL career in week 4 of the 2011 season against the Philadelphia Eagles. He rushed for 473 yards and scored 2 touchdowns during the regular season in a backup role to starting running back Frank Gore. Late in the 2012 season Hunter was put oninjured reserve with a torn Achilles. Over the summer of 2013, Hunter reportedly rehabilitated at Cosumnes River College with physical therapist Weinshilboum according to a June 18 article in the Sacramento Bee. Hunter spent time performing parcour across the Cosumnes campus, Bee writer Yolanda Marie wrote. Hunter was activated off the physically unable to perform list on August 10, 2013, nearly 8 1/2 months after he partially tore his left Achilles. On July 26, 2014, Hunter was carted off the field due to a knee injury. Later an MRI revealed that he tore his ACL. The 49ers waived/injured him on August 5. After clearing waivers, he was placed on the 49ers' injured reserve list.
On December 16, 2015, Hunter signed with the New Orleans Saints after starting running back Mark Ingram was placed on injured reserve. On January 1, 2016, Hunter was placed on injured reserve.
