In my third decade of professionally evaluating school prospects for professional soccer, I can actually say I’ve by no means seen a participant like Colorado’s all-around dynamo and Heisman Trophy contender, Travis Hunter.
For those that mistakenly assume that this text is simply one other instance of leaping on the media bandwagon, I might ask you to recollect this text by final September after I first evaluated Hunter — and instantly supported his Heisman candidacy and his future as an NFL first-round choice.
In case you missed his newest dominant efficiency in Saturday’s 48-21 win over UCF, here is a fast recap: Hunter caught 9 passes for 89 yards and a landing whereas recording a pair of tackles, a move breakup and one other beautiful interception whereas alternating between large receiver and cornerback. He was on the sphere for a staggering 128 of the sport’s 143 complete snaps from scrimmage.
Even earlier than the sport, UCF coach Gus Malzahn talked about Hunter’s distinctive versatility and dominance.
“He’s simply an elite participant, and it is actually, actually spectacular to see what he is doing enjoying so many snaps,” Malzahn mentioned. “Since I’ve been round school soccer, I haven’t seen him.
“When you watch him on movie, he is the perfect participant on movie in all 4 video games, and it isn’t even shut. So, yeah, he is an elite man.”
Playing either side of the ball is, after all, nothing new for Hunter, who leads the nation with 652 snaps performed to this point this season, in keeping with analytics web site Pro Football Focus. He did the identical final 12 months, additionally in Colorado shocking season-opening victory past TCU.
The level just isn’t solely that Hunter performs two positions for the 4-1 Buffaloes, however he performs each positions very nicely.
A exceptional case of amount AND high quality
If Hunter have been to concentrate on simply one of many positions he performs, he would have sufficient expertise to justify a top-10 draft choice. If groups really feel he can play each positions within the NFL as dominantly as he did for Colorado, he may very well be the No. 1 general choice, which is strictly the place I positioned him in my first mock draft.
It appears ridiculous to counsel that Hunter might proceed to play each positions within the NFL. Surely, he cannot play either side of the ball as steadily towards skilled athletes as he did in Colorado. Opposing groups would deliberately put on him down, forcing him to cowl deep balls or working at him to restrict the injury he might do when his workforce had the ball.
But there definitely may very well be distinctive packages or video games designed to make him play on either side of the ball. That’s as a result of, each bodily and instinctively, Hunter is a singular prospect.
The ball expertise and athleticism to play each methods
Don’t take my phrase for it. And do not depend on coach Deion Sanders, both, who is aware of a factor or two about each two-way soccer gamers and promotion. Listen to his offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmer.
Shurmer — who has served as head coach for the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles (albeit interim) — is understandably singing Hunter’s praises, each publicly and privately with NFL scouts who’re touring via Boulder.
“I’ve mentioned this to most likely all 32 groups within the NFL, however he has superpowers,” Shurmur informed reporters Tuesday after the Buffaloes concluded apply. “And probably the most noticeable factor is his skill with the ball. So once you play nook, it’s extremely, essential that you just affect the ball. He will get interceptions as a defensive participant.”
Ball expertise are usually related to large receivers, and given the power to make powerful catches look simple, Hunter can definitely fill that position.
But his personal offensive coordinator was reluctant to pigeonhole Hunter into only one place.
When requested the place Hunter may play within the NFL, Shurmur mentioned, “Both sides of the ball. I believe any workforce goes to be fortunate to have Travis, after which they simply must determine the place they need to play him. It’s displaying each week why he may very well be a affect participant on either side of the ball. These are the selections that groups, groups as they put together for the draft, or the workforce that really picks him, what they will do.
“But he’s proving to everybody that he can play each assault and protection.”
Hunter is listed by Colorado at 6-foot-1 and 185 kilos, possessing a super mixture of peak, arm size, agility and pace. Most gamers his peak battle to vary course fluidly, however Hunter explodes into his cuts and accelerates in a flash. His skill to take action permits him to create separation as a route runner and keep within the again pocket of opposing large receivers after they try and do the identical.
Travis Hunter explodes off his cuts and accelerates in a flash, which permits him to create separation as a route runner – and keep in opposing WRs’ again pockets after they try and do the identical. (Photo by Ricky Bowden/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Images)
Hunter additionally possesses distinctive hand and physique management to adapt to the soccer. His skill to contort his physique to make troublesome receptions look simple is paying homage to final 12 months’s high drafted wideout, Marvin Harrison Jr.
And Shurmur acknowledged Hunter’s reliability as an open-field tackler, too.
“He is aware of the place he is speculated to be, he makes tackles when it is time to make tackles. So, any time you possibly can affect the ball, I believe it is actually good.”
One of these occasions the place a sort out may very well be made got here in Colorado’s win over convention rival Baylor two weeks in the past, when Hunter pressured the game-sealing fumble on the aim line to safe an additional time victory.
The intuition and consciousness of enjoying each methods
However, acknowledging Hunter’s bodily presents alone is a disservice to his extraordinary consciousness. Hunter is an exceptionally instinctive participant. He reveals an actual really feel for distance and what his opponent is making an attempt to do. Last week’s interception towards UCF is simply the most recent instance of Hunter’s uncommon anticipation.
I imply, have a look at how he diagnoses this quick throw and explodes to steal the interception.
Colorado’s Travis Hunter throws an interception and strikes a Heisman pose
You cannot blame Hunter for placing the Heisman pose afterwards.
All this interprets into… wonderful grades in each CBs AND WR
It’s that incredible mixture of consciousness and athleticism that earned him a barely greater grade on my board as a cornerback.
However, given the daring salaries that large receivers earn in right now’s NFL, some may assume he could be much more helpful on offense.
Regardless of the place he sides, Hunter is downright distinctive unprecedented, NFL Prospectus.
Travis Hunter claims not solely the Heisman Trophy, but additionally the No. 1 general choose within the 2025 NFL Draft. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
This is why Colorado followers – and actually, school soccer followers as an entire – could be higher off having fun with the “Heismann Hunter“whereas they’ll.
Soon, scouts would be the ones speeding to Boulder to convey Hunter and his extraordinary expertise to the NFL.
