Travis Hunter Gives Straightforward Reply to Beating Deion Sanders in a Race as He Sets Expectations for NFL Combine

May 16, 2024 | 12:50 PM EDT

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Do you recall Deion Sanders’ iconic wave to his fans at the Marriott Marquis in New York City in 1989? He dashed 40 yards in 4.27 seconds, setting the record for the fastest 40 in NFL Combine history. After this, he ran out of the building and left. Now with him coaching the Colorado Buffaloes, which player wouldn’t aspire to surpass his mark? The current standout player, Travis Hunter, is cautious about attempting to match this record.

Working his way through the CFB 2024 seasons looming right above his head is not the only priority of Travis Hunter. The two-way star of Boulder is also busy gauging where he stands in the 2025 NFL draft class. During the shoot of the standard cover of EA Sports College Football 2025, Travis Hunter met with Edwards and Quinn, his toughest competitors for the top 5 picks in the 2025 NFL draft — and the ones he needs to surpass in the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine Week to impress the teams.

In a new video on Travis Hunter’s YouTube channel, viewers could see behind-the-scenes glimpses of the 2025 College Football Cover shoot. And it seems Hunter and Quinn Ewers had a pretty cool conversation:

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Hunter: You going to run a 40?

Ewers: No

Hunter: Yes, bro, you’re running at 40.

Ewers: I think I can hit a 4.7. That’s all.

Hunter: Bro no, if you train for you can get a 4 6, bro trust me. … I need a 4.3 bro. My 10 split time is good though.

Further, Travis Hunter knew Deion Sanders‘ command of speed. In the 1990s, NFL fans witnessed the blazing speed with which Deion Sanders would breeze through his opponents to reach the end zone while incorporating his signature high knees. Hunter knows he cannot cross that yet.

Hence, later in the video, when he was asked about the speed comparison between himself and his head coach Deion Sanders, Travis Hunter responded without hesitation.

Reporter: If Dion was in the game right now as he is what would be his overall?

Hunter: His overall… 93.

Reporter: Who’s faster you or him?

Hunter: Back in his time, he ran like a 2-1. So yeah, he was definitely faster. He ran like a two flat.

Clearly, Hunter’s aim is to get as close to Deion Sanders’s record as possible. But what is the player’s fastest 40-yard dash? As per the information available, his fastest is 4.48, and this is considered the average time for a wide receiver and a cornerback in the NFL. However, he also has an unofficial 4.4o record for the 40-yard dash. So it’s clear why Travis Hunter wanted to aim at 4.3. But what about Sanders’s son Shedeur?

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Can Shedeur Sanders break Deion Sanders’s record?

Well, who knows? It could happen in the future. However, if we take the current statistics into account, Shedur Sanders’s fastest 40-yard dash was 4.65 seconds. So he clearly has more gap to bridge as compared to Hunter.

Now, the onus is on both Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter to unite their efforts in training, aiming to surpass the record set by Prime. Breaking Deion’s record or not, Hunter’s skills are always something to behold. Fans will have to wait and let his 2025 Combine performance speak for itself.

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But let us talk about Colorado Buffaloes as a team for a moment. Since last year, they have wanted to play fast on offense. And a fast play demands quick players. That is exactly what coordinator Sean Lewis has been aiming at- up-tempo and rapid-fire pace.

Apart from Hunter and Shedeur, names like Jimmy Horn Jr., Xavier Weaver, and Javon Antonio have also had their moments. So only time will tell if any of the Buffs will break Deion Sanders record.