Travis Hunter helps pull four-star WR Kevin Coleman to Jackson State

SAN ANTONIO – Saint Louis (Mo.) St. Mary’s wide receiver Kevin Coleman couldn’t leave close friend Travis Hunter on an island.

Coleman pulled his own surprise commitment to Jackson State on Saturday at the All-American Bowl.

Since Hunter shockingly committed and then signed with Jackson State on the first day of the early signing period Coleman’s phone has been full of texts and calls from Hunter. Hunter was surprised with the rest of the audience tuned in watching the All-American Bowl.

“Seeing Travis Hunter going there, he’s like my best friend, I didn’t want to leave him alone,” Coleman said. “We talked about it, but I never told him. He’s been blowing me up, but I never told him I was going to come. I kept it a secret… It was very hard (to keep the secret) but I couldn’t leave him alone.”

Coleman’s nickname is ‘Just Different.’ He wanted something different in his college choice. Coleman has done things his way for a while now.

The move to an HBCU is something that he and his father talked about a lot throughout the process.

“I always wanted to make this move,” Coleman said. “Me and my dad talked about this in my sophomore year when we first went on a visit. COVID-19 kind of put it off to the side… I’ve always felt you can make it from anywhere.”

Kevin Coleman is fully behind the movement for HBCU football

Coleman and Hunter both have a strong belief that the NFL will be an option no matter where they play college football.

Coleman feels that more top players are beginning to feel that way as well.

“It’s going to change,” Coleman said. “These top guys out here know you can go anywhere and be a dog. It’s doesn’t matter where you go. The school doesn’t make you. You make the school. Of course, they can help you. At the end of the day, they can’t push you to make decisions. You’ve got to have good character. You’ve got the responsibility to make the right decision. You have to wake up every day and put the work in, not them. I feel like I’m going somewhere I’m comfortable. It’s close to home.”

Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders played a major role in Coleman’s decision. Coleman didn’t take an official visit to Jackson State.

In his phone conversations with Sanders, he immediately felt his future coach could relate to him.

“We just talked on the phone a lot,” Coleman said. “I felt like I could relate to him and everything that he’s doing and wanted to be a part of it. I want that close relationship with coach Deion (Sanders) and I feel like he can prepare me to be a great student-athlete.”