When Travis Hunter decided to move to Jackson State it raised eyebrows. Being one of the most coveted recruits in the country, many projected him to end up at college football blue bloods like Alabama, Florida State, or Georgia. But Hunter chose Jackson State with learning under Deion Sanders a primary reason. This wasn’t just another top recruit looking for a program; it was a young athlete seeking the mentorship of a Hall of Famer he believed could help him reach the next level. ”Travis is so far ahead of me when I was his age, it’s ridiculous,” Sanders said in 2022. Well, his protege would only go and prove him right.

At Jackson State, Hunter had the opportunity to hone his two-way skills under one of the rare players to do it as a pro. He then followed Coach Prime to Colorado and the ball started rolling for him. At Buffs Hunter did something that even Sanders didn’t accomplish- win the Heisman Trophy. But Hunter isn’t satisfied with this only, he wants more, he wants to emulate Coach Prime in the NFL, he wants to win the Super Bowl and he wants that Gold Jacket.

Before he celebrated his Heisman win, Hunter talked about how being coached by Sanders made him “want to be better” than Coach Prime. “I just want to be better than him. So, me getting hurt last year was a little setback for my stat sheet and how my career went last year.  So, I definitely wanted to be better than him and do things that he hasn’t done but do it better.” His hunger hasn’t been satiated as he prepares for life in the NFL.

On The Travis Hunter Show on Wednesday, the two-way star told his co-host Boog about his goals for the NFL. “I need that Gold Jacket, whatever it is going to take! I got to outdo Coach Prime. I got a Heisman trophy, he don’t,” Hunter boasted with a smile. “That’s not how I do it because he got that Gold Jacket. I need to get that Gold Jacket and a Super Bowl, I get to outdo him.”

Having spent his entire college career being coached by Sanders, Hunter might be well prepared to take on the NFL. But while he surpassed Deion Sanders at the collegiate level, he will have some way to go in order to match or surpass his former coach in the NFL.

Sanders was an eight-time Pro Bowler, six-time First-Team All-Pro, and 1994 Defensive Player of the Year. He made the 1990s All-Decade Team as both a cornerback and punt returner. He also led the NFC in kickoffs in 1992 and interceptions in 1991 and 1993. Sanders had 53 interceptions throughout his 14-year stint in the league. He also played in the WR position in 1996 and recorded 36 receptions.

He started at right cornerback for the 49ers in their 49-26 victory over the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX and at left cornerback in the Cowboys 27-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX. If Hunter manages to match or outdo Sanders at this level, he will have more than earned his Gold Jacket.

“I can’t outdo him if I get none of that. So, I’m just one step closer. Keep going. And then if I go a pick ahead of him, when we on that league together, I’ll be talking so much smack,” he added. Hunter’s stint in Boulder does suggest that he has what it takes to be a success in the NFL.

He grabbed the Walter Camp Award as the top overall player in the FBS, along with the Chuck Bednarik Award as the top defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award for the best wide receiver. On offense, he ended up with 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, plus a rushing score. On defense, he had four interceptions, made 32 tackles, and broke up 11 passes. The NFL will definitely be a step up and Hunter looks more than ready for the challenge, however, there is one big dilemma.

Hunter has openly expressed his wish to play both positions in the NFL, a rarity. Even his idol, Deion Sanders couldn’t do it on a regular basis, but Hunter remains adamant.

“Travis Hunter is reportedly “preparing” to tell teams he wants to play BOTH WR and CB full-time in the NFL. Hunter reportedly “does not” want to be forced to play one position and wants to play both sides of the ball from the start. However, multiple NFL executives reportedly “only want to use” Hunter as a CB and from time-to-time on offense,” a report from NFL Rookie Watch read.

At Colorado, Hunter played 94% of offensive snaps and 92.9% of defensive plays in games he was active. This is something that will be hard to keep up once he steps up to the rigors of the NFL. Not only this, he also risks alienating himself in the draft, with possibly many teams only willing to play him as a cornerback with occasional snaps as a WR.

NFL teams look for longevity and a return on their investment when they make a draft pick. Playing both sides of the ball regularly can jeopardize both these factors. With this idea, Hunter was initially listed with the defensive backs in the NFL Combine list, but that has been since updated.

Hunter is now being listed as both a defensive back and wide receiver at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Meanwhile, on his podcast, Hunter spilled out the secret of his trying to play foul to beat Coach Prime in another contest.

Well, the Buffs fans are aware of how the coach-player duo often goes out fishing in their off time. Surprisingly, in most cases, it’s Hunter whose bucket often weighs heavier than Sanders’. But even then he thought of pestering the Buffs HC a little. On the podcast, sporting his signature ear-to-ear grin, he confessed, “I went to his house the other day to pick up my boat.” Things didn’t not end here.

Hunter continued jokingly sending out a warning, “Bro don’t tell him dog. Nobody snitch on me. I stole some bait he would never know they gone… I stole some bait from him.” Not just the bait, his heist continued. “I took two fishing poles for him they were on my boat so obviously they Mine if they on my boat but they his because they were right hand,” Hunter smiled cheekily. But looks like Deion Sanders won’t even mind if he finds out about the player looting his fishing gear. Why so? 

Deion Sanders wooed by Travis Hunter’s thoughtful gesture

Did you know that Travis Hunter once left Deion Sanders looking for his mom as a safe space to hide himself? Back in July last year, the duo went out for their angling spree. But little did Coach Prime know that he would have to pay such a heavy cost. Both of them hopped on the same boat. But poor Deion! His dual-threat kept on hooking one fish after the other. The final score is surely going to leave you in stitches. Hunter:10, Deion: 3! And what was Deion’s reaction?

He cried for help and blurted out, “I want my mom.” But again, don’t forget, Hunter wants his competitor to be at par! That’s when he thought of gifting Coach Prime an interesting gift- two fishing rods. After all, who better knows about the fishing equipment better than Hunter?  So last year in June, in one of Well Off Media’s episodes, Coach Prime was spotted walking into the cafeteria holding two fishing rods.

“Thank you, Sir,” the Buffs HC shared his gratitude for Travis Hunter. After all, the Buffs’ dual threat has been extremely thoughtful to gift him the expensive fishing rods, as Deion stated, “Just in case you get them tangled.” The coach could not stop from adoring the quality as he then said, “I ain’t going to have to tell it. I’m sure one thing but his stuff it ain’t cheap. None of his stuff is cheap.” When you’ve gifted the boss two rods, snagging a spare is just a friendly fisherman’s fee!