Hunt played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions and was selected by the Eagles in the third round of the 2007 NFL draft.

A standout player at T. C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, Hunt rushed for more than 2,000 total yards and also played linebacker, defensive end, and even punted.

At the outset of his college career, Hunt was overshadowed by fellow running back Austin Scott, who was considered the more promising recruit, having broken many Pennsylvania high school football records.

Despite this, Hunt won the starting running back job through his work ethic, and by virtue of being a better pass blocker than Scott.

After the Eagles acquired Lorenzo Booker from Miami, he was pushed to fourth on the depth chart ahead of only Ryan Moats.