Daniel Jeremiah: Travis Hunter has similar traits as Garrett Wilson as wide receiver

One of the most interesting cases for the NFL Draft this year is at Colorado. Two-way sensation Travis Hunter made a name for himself as a playmaker at Jackson State and with the Buffs under Deion Sanders, and he could have a decision to make when he meets with NFL teams.

Hunter is sure to be a top target once again at wide receiver for Shedeur Sanders this year – the second of the Coach Prime era in Boulder. But he will also be a key figure on defense at cornerback, where he locked down defenders in 2023.

Hunter’s NFL future could be at receiver, though. If that’s the case, NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah said his skillset would be similar to a former Ohio State star and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year – Garrett Wilson.

“I know this is lofty praise, but his movement skills and run-after-catch ability remind me of Garrett Wilson when he was coming out of Ohio State,” Jeremiah wrote. “I loved Wilson in the 2022 NFL Draft, viewing him as the best receiver (and No. 4 overall prospect) in his class. In two years with the New York Jets, the former No. 10 overall pick has been outstanding, producing a pair of 1,000-yard seasons despite some severe challenges at the quarterback position.

“I believe Wilson is on the cusp of being a top-five NFL wideout, if he’s not there already. I see similar traits and tools when Hunter is on the offensive side of the ball.”

Wilson had a decorated career at Ohio State from 2019-21, capped by 1,058 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. The New York Jets then selected him with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and he put together a monster rookie season with 1,103 yards and four touchdowns.

Travis Hunter could have a decision to make in the NFL

Hunter impressed on offense last season despite missing three games due to an injury. He totaled 721 yards and five touchdowns on 57 receptions in Colorado’s high-powered offense, and he’ll likely play a prominent role once again for the Buffaloes in 2024.

As for his two-way ability, Hunter might have to pick either wide receiver or cornerback at the NFL level, according to ESPN’s Matt Miller. No matter what happens, though, the Colorado standout will be one of the most electrifying players in the draft.

“He’s a three-way player,” Miller told Kevin Negandhi on SportsCenter. “But I do think at some point, he’ll be really forced by NFL teams to make a decision. We saw last year, he was playing more snaps than anyone in college football early in the season. And then, he had an injury – not related to his playing time – and he had to miss multiple games. So I think Step 1, he’s got to prove he can stay healthy. He’s not a big guy. He’s an undersized player.

“And then, I think that ability to just hone in on one position. To say, I’m gonna work on understanding the intricacies of the wide receiver position or the technique of the corner position. He’s gonna have to make that decision. But he is a playmaker where you want the ball in his hands.”