Travis Hunter cites Deion Sanders' experience for why they fit together

You would never expect a Five-Star Plus+ product to have the collegiate path of Jackson State and Colorado. Travis Hunter shocked the world by selecting FCS-level Jackson State before heading off to arguably the worst Power Five team during the 2022 season. And all of it was because of one person — Deion Sanders.

Coach Prime has been able to recruit at a pace that Jackson State and Colorado have never seen. Hunter is the best example of it all, being the No. 2 player in the 2022 class. Sanders and Hunter just get along super well, maybe because they had similar goals during their respective playing days.

“He’s done this before,” Hunter said. “He ain’t got to say nothing. He’s got a gold jacket and that’s what I am chasing.”

Sanders is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame (2011) and the Pro Football Hall of Fame (also in 2011). Of course, when Hunter is referencing the gold jacket, he’s looking to be inducted into the latter. Two more seasons separate Hunter from having the opportunity to declare for the NFL Draft.

Of course, in order to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there must be a stellar career in the NFL. Hunter is putting faith in Sanders to prepare him for the next level. He’s not a bad person to learn from either, earning six first-team All-Pro selections and winning two Super Bowls.

Travis Hunter to be two-way player at Colorado

Part of what could make Hunter a future Hall of Famer is his ability to be elite on both sides of the ball.

Colorado plans to have him line up as a wide receiver when the Buffs are on offense only to turn around and cover opposing receivers on the defensive end. Not too many players have the skill level, let alone the opportunity, to play both sides.

In order to prepare, Hunter has been practicing with both units during Colorado’s fall camp. One day, he is working with offensive coordinator Sean Lewis. The next day, defensive coordinator Charles Kelly gets his chance to coach Hunter up.

“It’s pretty much I go to offense one day and then defense the next day,” Hunter said.

Hunter will have the ability to showcase his ability on a national stage right away. Colorado will play their first two games of the regular season against TCU and Nebraska on Big Noon Kickoff. The thought of watching him make plays on offense and defense is an exciting one.