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Arguably the most dynamic player in college football will be headed to the next level after the season.
Colorado cornerback and wide receiver Travis Hunter told reporters Thursday he is “for sure” heading to the 2025 NFL draft and plans on continuing to play both ways in the professional ranks:
Hunter was already a household name before the 2024 season started given his starring role on Deion Sanders’ Colorado team during the 2023 campaign. He was also the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2022, per 247Sports’ composite rankings, and started at Jackson State with Sanders before following the head coach to the Buffaloes.
While he was an All-American in his first season at Colorado, he has ascended to another level this season.
Hunter quickly found himself in the middle of Heisman Trophy discussions when he tallied 100 or more receiving yards in each of the first four games. He also forced the fumble that clinched the Buffaloes’ 38-31 victory over Baylor in that fourth game all while posting seven catches for 130 yards on the offensive side.
It was a performance that underscored just how incredible Hunter is as a two-way star and how high his potential can climb at the next level.
He has continued to build on it as the season progressed and the pressure increased and has 74 catches for 911 yards and nine touchdowns as a wide receiver to go with 24 tackles, eight passes defended and three interceptions as a cornerback.
That type of two-way ability has him firmly in the middle of Heisman Trophy discussions. He is also a major reason why the Buffaloes control their own destiny in the Big 12 title race and could end up securing a College Football Playoff spot.
Hunter’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed in NFL circles, and B/R’s NFL Scouting Department projected him as the No. 1 overall pick in its latest mock draft earlier this month.
Even if he ultimately plays more cornerback in the professional ranks, the team that drafts him can use him in offensive packages and capitalize on his overwhelming athleticism, speed, versatility and endurance as soon as his rookie season.
A scouting report from B/R’s NFL Scouting Department highlighted his twitchiness, acceleration to cover plenty of space as a defender, high football IQ that allows him to consistently make the correct play, ball-hawking ability as a corner and receiver that helps him come down with contested passes, and willingness to be a tackler even from the secondary.
Hunter is the full package as a cornerback, and it comes as no surprise he will be heading to the next level after a memorable 2024 season.
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