There was a time, decades ago, when college football players routinely contributed on offense and defense.
In Colorado history, there have been numerous two-way players, including Byron “Whizzer” White, who starred on offense, defense and special teams in the mid-1930s. Joe Romig finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1961 while playing offensive guard and linebacker.
In today’s game, however, Travis Hunter is an anomaly, and the junior cornerback/receiver might be the best player in the country this year. He racked up 721 yards as a receiver and three interceptions on defense last year and could top both of those numbers this year if healthy.
On preseason watch lists for six major awards, including the Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) and the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver), Hunter has been tabbed a preseason All-American by numerous publications. And, he’s projected to be one of the first players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Winner of the Paul Hornung Award as the most versatile player in the country for 2023, Hunter might be the most versatile player in the game over the past 40 years. The list of those in the conversation is short, but it includes Pro Football Hall of Famers Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders – now CU’s head coach.
Sanders knows he’s one of the best athletes in history, but didn’t hesitate in saying, “Travis is better. At the age and stage, he’s better.”
On the field, there’s not much Hunter can’t do, but he won’t often talk about it publicly.
Despite being arguably the best player in the country, Hunter hasn’t done a press conference since the 2023 opener at TCU. This summer, he was scheduled to be in Las Vegas for Big 12 media day in July and on the podium for CU’s fall sports media day on Aug. 9, but skipped out on both.
Plenty can be learned about Hunter, however, by listening to those who are with him every day. What others say about the most unique player at CU in decades:
Coach Prime: “Not only (is he a great player), he’s a good human being. … He’s got one of the highest GPAs on the team. He’s a great human being, and he can play. Character is second to none. That’s why I don’t mind fishing with him. … It’s just a delight to have caught him coming straight out of high school, and he stayed and endured the test of time. Travis is different. He’s a phenomenal athlete. Proud of the kid, on and off the field.”
Defensive coordinator Robert Livingston when asked if Hunter is capable of playing in the NFL now: “I think Travis could do anything he wants to do. I’ve talked about it. I think Travis is a unicorn. We had spring academic meeting and Travis goes up there as a 4.0 student. Travis takes every play in practice. I think Travis can do anything. So yeah, I don’t want to put a (target) on his back or anything like that but yeah, I think Travis can do just about anything he wants to do.”
Receivers coach Jason Phillips on what it’s like coaching Hunter: “Pleasurable. I mean, one of the most pleasurable guys, one of the greatest guys I’ve ever been around as a coach. Just having a player like that, that understands the game; basically, he understands your position, he understands what you’re trying to get out of him and he wants more. He comes to work every day looking for more. I think the biggest question the scouts have is, ‘How do you coach him?’ And my answer to those guys, ‘Coach him, because he’s coachable.’ He’s a joy to be around. He’s a great kid on the field, off the field. He’s great for the room. Everybody understands and realizes his talent, so everybody wants to play to that level. It’s been great. It’s been remarkable.”
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders: “Turn on the film. You see what he does. I mean it’s nothing I can even say. There’s nothing I can say. Everything that you see is basically who he is.”
Safety Shilo Sanders: “I think his decision making (is special). Football is a really mental game. There’s not really much physical difference between 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 (seconds in the 40-yard sprint), so it comes down to decision making. Some guys have great decision making instincts and that’s what separates them.”
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