Travis Hunter reflects on connection with Shedeur Sanders, impact on success

Rarely do you find a quarterback-wide receiver connection going on for three years. But Colorado has it with Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. One season was spent at Jackson State before moving to Boulder and watching the success grow.

Just one game remains for the duo before likely being first-round picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders confirmed they would play in the program’s bowl game instead of opting out. Before then, Hunter reflected on the connection he has with Shedeur Sanders and how it’s impacted his success throughout college.

“It’s been very, very good, like you said, because I know a quarterback that I’ve been sticking with for three years,” Hunter said Thursday on SportsCenter. “He knows exactly where I like the ball placement. I know exactly how he wants me to run the route. So, it’s definitely put me in a spotlight where I can get more catches, more targets, and more touchdowns.”

Numbers for Hunter have only gotten better throughout the years. This season will wind up being the best, already surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. His 92 receptions are No. 5 in college football and 14 touchdowns in good enough for second.

No matter how talented of a receiver you are, putting up those numbers against power conference competition is not possible without a solid quarterback. Sanders has put up eye-popping numbers himself, throwing for 3,926 yards, 35 touchdowns, and eight interceptions while completing 74.2% of his throws.

But you can tell the connection with Hunter is just different, even in a loaded Colorado wide receiver room.

All of this is why Hunter is considered the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. A trip to New York City is in store and Sanders is going to be there either way. The quarterback is hoping to be one of the finalists but if not, supporting Hunter is on the agenda. It’s clear to see the two have a relationship beyond football.