Five-Star Plus+ Travis Hunter paving way for top prospects to HBCUs

ORLANDO – Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill Five-Star Plus+ cornerback Travis Hunter has held the ambition of being the best player in the country since he was running around the recreation football fields in Florida.

His father Travis Hunter Sr. has always preached to the younger Hunter that he was the best player on any field he touched.

Years later, Hunter is the No. 1 overall prospect in the On3 Consensus rankings as a high school senior. Hunter was committed to Florid State for two years. On National Signing Day he flipped his commitment to sign with Jackson State where he will play for his idol, Deion Sanders.

The decision sent shockwaves across the college football world.

Hunter is more than the top player in the country. He can claim the role of the trailblazer.

“I’m paving a way for others to follow,” Hunter said. ” Every other top prospect in the country has a spot at an HBCU just like I do.”

Sanders has always been a player Hunter has looked up to. Playing for Sanders was a major selling point in his decision.

“I’m going to play for the best to ever do it,” Hunter said. “Nothing really changed, it’s all still the same to me. I’m just going to college and going to play for the best to ever do it.”

Hunter admits Sanders showed some hesitancy when Hunter began considering his flip.

“I had to think about it a lot, it wasn’t an easy decision,” Hunter said. “I was committed to Florida State for two years. It was something that I pretty much had to think about it a lot with my family. He (Sanders) didn’t really want me to flip. He just wanted me to give me the opportunity to play with him.”

Football is football to Travis Hunter

Hunter expects that there will be challenges with the step-up in competition similar to the one he would have faced going to Tallahassee.

“I have to stay on top of my game no matter where I was going to play,” Hunter said. “I’m just going to stay on my game and show people that I can play at any level…My emotions are good. I don’t look at the negatives. It was more about the people congratulating me.”

Additionally, Hunter expects to play both ways when he reaches Jackson State, something that he has done throughout his high school career.

He’s excited to play for Sanders but playing alongside Jackson State quarterback, Sanders’ son, Shedeur Sanders.

“I’m ready to lock in with my brothers down there,” Hunter said.