Travis Hunter: The Next Deion Sanders?
Enthusiastic followers of the Colorado Buffaloes have always recognized Travis Hunter’s outstanding abilities. Nowadays, it seems the larger football community is starting to pay attention as well. Jahleel Addae, a former NFL cornerback, recently raised eyebrows during a national segment on Good Morning Football. With no reservation, he placed Hunter in an unparalleled category. “He’s the best athlete since Deion Sanders,” Addae declared. This is more than just overblown praise; it’s effectively a challenge, and it seems Hunter has the potential to rise to it.
Even before setting foot in an NFL game, Hunter achieved a feat that dismantled the records of college football. In 2023, while at Colorado, he consistently played over 100 snaps per game, excelling at offense and defense. His ability to counter top receivers in defense while out-manoeuvring DBs as a wide receiver was truly impressive. Pro Football Focus data confirms that Hunter scored an exceptional 87.6 coverage grade and simultaneously racked up 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns on offense.
His unprecedented versatility led him to be the first footballer in over twenty years to pose a serious All-American threat in both positions. This incredible performance significantly contributed to his monumental Heisman Trophy victory in 2024. Remarkably, Travis Hunter was the first player to win this prestigious award while serving on both sides of the ball, reinforcing his status as a breakout star.
Deion Sanders, whose name Addae invoked, wasn’t just a Hall of Fame inductee. Sanders was a phenomenon; a corner player who returned kicks, snatched touchdowns, and remarkably, also played Major League Baseball, all while emerging as a cultural icon. When Addae paralleled Hunter to Sanders, it wasn’t just an offhand remark.
As Addae elaborated, “These are the unicorns of the world in the NFL.” Can Hunter maintain a high level of performance consistently? That’s the big question. However, having trained under the tutelage of ‘Coach Prime’, for three years, Hunter may have a unique insight into Sanders’ legendary career.
The Jacksonville Jaguars welcomed Hunter as their No. 2 overall draft pick, entrusted with bolstering both their unstable secondary and enhancing Trevor Lawrence’s star power. However, Addae brought to the fore a question that both Colorado and now, Jacksonville find themselves grappling with: “Can he withstand the strain, both physically and psychologically?”
Hunter is expected to face off against the NFL’s most distinguished wideouts and tight ends. Additionally, when required, he will also serve as a wide receiver to bolster his team’s offensive strategy. It’s an enormous responsibility that not many could bear, even for an exceptional talent like Hunter.
The upcoming NFL season poses challenges to Hunter that he may not have encountered during his college career. Should he successfully navigate the harsh realities of the league and steer clear from debilitating injuries, he won’t just be seen as a reflection of Sanders’ greatness. The NFL might find itself wondering, could Travis Hunter be the successor to Deion ‘Prime Time’ Sanders?