The path of an undrafted free agent in the NFL is a treacherous one, fraught with uncertainty. For Cleveland Browns undrafted rookie defensive tackle Adin Huntington, however, his path to the 53-man roster wasn’t just a hope; it was a plan.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has confirmed what many had suspected, announcing after the team’s preseason win over the Rams that the athletic marvel had officially earned his roster spot. Huntington’s success can be traced back to an exclusive interview with the Browns Wire in May, where he laid out a multi-faceted approach to making the team, a blueprint that has since guided his meteoric rise.
Huntington, a physical marvel who ran a 4.64-second 40-yard dash at 281 pounds, is far from just a “combine warrior.” His time would have made him the fastest defensive tackle at the NFL Scouting Combine, and it would have ranked seventh among all defensive ends. Add to that an explosive 38-inch vertical jump, a mark that puts him in the 100th percentile for his position, and you have an athlete whose gifts are clearly translating to the field. In the 19-17 victory over the Rams, Huntington was a disruptive force, credited with 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, two tackles for loss, and five total tackles.
knocked it loose with the hard hit!#LARvsCLE on NFLN, @WEWS & NFL+ pic.twitter.com/35wgVXrUw0
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 23, 2025
Against the Rams, his on-field impact wasn’t limited to the defensive side of the ball. On the very first offensive play of the game, Huntington lined up as a sixth lineman on the field with quarterback Joe Flacco and the first-team offense, a glimpse into Kevin Stefanski’s plan for the young man. However, the most telling aspect of Huntington’s journey may be his foresight regarding special teams. When we spoke in May, he made it clear he saw that aspect of the game as his most direct route to a roster spot.
“I think a great opportunity is going to be me playing special teams,” Huntington told me. “I ran down on kickoff when I was at Kent State. I was on punt block, and I started on punt protection, so I’ve done it all. I’ve done kickoff return blocking also, so you know that I could get on the field and contribute.”
Adin Huntington is a strong candidate to make the Browns’ 53. The UDFA DT out of Tulane runs a 4.64 40 at 280 lbs, and he’s letting it fly on special teams.
What separates you when cutdowns roll around. Gotta love a dude wearing 66 flying down the field on coverage units. pic.twitter.com/YAVhkSP9b0
— Cory (@fakecorykinnan) August 22, 2025
This willingness to embrace the often-unheralded special teams units is a common trait among UDFAs who successfully make the final roster. But Huntington’s utility goes even further. His appearance at fullback in the preseason was no accident, as he confirmed during our interview that he has a history with the position.
“Yes, I played fullback in high school, running back as well,” he said. He further attributed his diverse skill set to his background as a multi-sport athlete. “I also ran track, so overall I just allow that athleticism to take over when I play.”
In a league where roster spots are precious and versatility is king, Adin Huntington’s ability to contribute on defense, special teams, and even in a unique offensive role has made him undeniable. What was once a promising summation of his skills in a May interview is now a reality. Adin Huntington is not just an athletic freak; he’s a self-aware, multi-tooled football player who knew his path to the Browns’ 53-man roster all along.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns UDFA Adin Huntington foreshadowed his own roster spot in May