Travis Hunter made a pair of proclamations Thursday: He will certainly enter the NFL draft after this season, however not till he sees Colorado all the best way to the College Football Playoff, if the Buffaloes make it.
The former was already a given for the draft-eligible junior who performs each receiver and cornerback, and says he desires to do the identical within the NFL. The second is a risk-reward play for a projected excessive first-round choose who averages about 120 snaps per sport.
In years previous, it took two additional postseason wins to clinch a nationwide title. Up to 4 extra competitions could now be required. It’s extra of an opportunity to shine, but in addition extra of an opportunity to get injured.
“I do not assume anybody goes to surrender since you’re exhibiting NFL groups that you just’re extra targeted on one thing else apart from the staff purpose,” Hunter mentioned of increasing the College Football Playoff to 12 groups. “So I do not assume the gamers will surrender on the playoffs.”
Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders chatted Thursday on a collection of Zoom calls about turning this system round in Colorado (from 4-8 final season to bowl eligibility), chasing a Big 12 title, turning professional — Hunter acknowledged that he’ll “for certain” — and, in fact, the Heisman race, the place Hunter is at present the favourite in an award the place every desires to see the opposite win.
“He deserves it, and if it is between me and him, I would like him to get it,” mentioned Sanders, whose Sixteenth-ranked Buffaloes (8-2, 6-1 Big 12, No. 16 CFP) journey to the ‘Arrowhead Stadium to face Kansas (3:30 pm ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app) this weekend. “He does quite a lot of wonderful issues which have by no means been achieved earlier than.”
Hunter shot again, “I do know he desires him to win, however I additionally need him to win as a lot as I would like him.”
Hunter is a generational expertise who shines on either side of the ball. As a receiver, he has 74 receptions for 911 yards and 9 touchdowns. Defensively he has made three passes, though groups are reluctant to observe his course.
As he did in highschool and now in school, he believes he can do each on the subsequent stage. But he understands the trepidation of the NFL staff that drafts him.
“They don’t need their first choose to fall too quickly,” Hunter mentioned. “I prefer it when folks inform me I can not do it, as a result of it motivates me to maintain doing what I wish to do.”
Sanders can be having a stellar season with 27 landing passes, one away from tying Sefo Liufau for probably the most passes in a single season in program historical past. He is anticipated to be one of many first QBs off the board.
Travis Hunter on Heisman hopes, enjoying for Deion Sanders and Colorado Buffaloes | The massive noon kick-off
The future definitely seems brilliant in Colorado because of the legacy Sanders and Hunter will depart beneath head coach Deion Sanders. But this can be a level to replicate on later.
“I can not assume an excessive amount of about the way forward for final Saturday,” Shedeur Sanders mentioned. “The important factor is successful the Big 12 championship. That’s the primary factor we’re targeted on.”
Associated Press reporting.
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Shedeur Sanders
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