Travis Hunter’s One-of-a-Kind NIL Deal With $43B Giants Inspires $454K CU Prodigy’s Honest Confession

What’s the craziest NIL deal you’ve heard of? No, seriously—think about it for a second. Some of these deals are straight out of a Hollywood script. And when you’re talking about Travis Hunter, you know the man’s not here for the ordinary. His NIL partnership with a $43 billion giant has heads turning and mouths talking. But what’s even crazier? The ripple effect it’s having on Colorado’s prodigy. The Buffs $454k prodigy sat down for an interview recently, and let’s just say, he didn’t hold back with his honest confession.

Jimmy Horn Jr., inspired by Hunter’s deal with United Airlines, didn’t just dream small—he went all-in, aiming high and unapologetic. When asked about his “dream NIL partnership,” Horn, with a thoughtful pause, finally burst out, “Dang! Let me get one with Delta!” Roy from Return on You responded the way we all would: “WOOO, that’s a good one.” The moment was light-hearted but spoke volumes about how Travis Hunter’s moves are shifting perspectives for other athletes.

The Travis Hunter-United Airlines partnership has gotta be the craziest NIL deal of all time. Signed in September, the deal had fans buzzing, especially after Hunter dropped an Instagram post captioned, “Just a reminder that I can play more than 1 position.” A subtle nod to his versatility on the field. The post oozed confidence and swag.

It’s not uncommon to see quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart, Quinn Ewers, and Noah Fifita land NIL deals with airlines; even Caleb Williams signed with United Airlines. Some wide receivers have similar deals. But Hunter’s partnership is unique. He’s the first FBS player to excel both on the field and in the air to sign this type of deal. And the story goes deeper.

The connection between Hunter and United Airlines literally sparked after Colorado’s 2023 season-opening win over TCU. Coach Prime—Deion Sanders—joked about needing a hot tub on the plane for Hunter after his mind-boggling performance as both a receiver and cornerback. United Airlines capitalized on the moment, responding with a cheeky social media post: “We’ll have it ready for your next away game 🛁✈️.” From there, the partnership soared, with Hunter becoming the face of their campaigns.

Jimmy Horn Jr., on the flip side, is still working to solidify his own NIL legacy. With partnerships like Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, Horn has had a rollercoaster season—starting strong with a Derrick Rose-esque debut (198 yards and a touchdown) but struggling with injuries and inconsistency. His numbers may not scream superstar (441 yards, one touchdown), but his ambition? Loud and clear.

If you actually know his lore, you know Jimmy can fly. Jimmy Jr. most likely gets grafted on Day 2 or 3, more like round 4 or round 5. Jimmy would fit pretty well for the Broncos under Sean Payton’s scheme as a slot receiver. Anyway, but what about Travis Hunter? Where does he fit well?

Travis Hunter’s draft profile: generational talent, but where does he fit?

When it comes to draft stock, Travis Hunter is in a league of his own. The Heisman winner and Biletnikoff Award recipient capped off his junior season with jaw-dropping stats: 96 receptions, 1,258 yards, and 15 touchdowns. Whether he’s snagging interceptions or torching defenses as a receiver, Hunter’s elite athleticism and hands make him a no-brainer top-five pick. Everybody knows that, right?

Let’s dig deeper into that. Hunter’s versatility is also his greatest enigma. Do you draft him as a cornerback? A wide receiver? Both? NFL teams are low-key split.

If he ends up with the Giants (mocked at 3rd overall), he could shine as WR2 alongside Malik Nabers. On the Titans, he’s likely a full-time receiver, given their lack of depth. And the Patriots? With a receiving corps as bland as unsalted fries, Hunter would be their go-to guy for 60-70% of snaps. Then again, who knows if he only wants to CB, primarily? It’s pretty hard to evaluate his draft projection and fit process.

Only concern about Travis Hunter is his build. 6’1″ and 185 pounds with a lean body structure. Not your typical NFL-esque size. But when you’re this talented, does it really matter? The league hasn’t seen a two-way player of this caliber since… well, maybe Deion Sanders and Charles Woodson.

As Hunter prepares for the draft and Jimmy Horn Jr. looks to make his own mark, one thing is clear: the Colorado Buffaloes’ influence isn’t fading anytime soon. Deion Sanders’ squad didn’t win the natty, but they’ve owned the headlines all season. Travis Hunter’s United Airlines deal isn’t just a win for him—it’s a cultural reset. Jimmy Horn Jr.’s Delta dreams may seem lofty, but hey, if Travis Hunter taught us anything, it’s this: shoot your shot, and make sure it counts. Because in this NIL era, the sky—literally—isn’t the limit.