“The more you can do…” 

NFL coaches and scouts have uttered the aforementioned commentary for many years when discussing the worth of versatility when comparing gamers and potentialities. Because the announcing is going, the extra roles a participant can fill as a playmaker, the better the percentages are of him sticking round for the long run. 

In Colorado, Travis Hunter is i’m ready to revolutionize the varsity recreation as a two-way participant with five-star ability. Even though Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey have equipped the blueprint for Hunter as collegiate superstars who shined as two-way gamers sooner than incomes gold jackets as execs, the Buffaloes standout may just observe within the footsteps of his Corridor of Status educator Deion Sanders as an elite two-way participant within the NFL.

As a six-time All-Professional, Sanders is respected for his protection talents because the premier shutdown cornerback of his time, however he may just deal with the ones tasks week flourishing because the Dallas Cowboys’ WR2 all over their ultimate Tremendous Bowl run — and that cemented his legacy as one of the vital very best athletes to play games within the NFL. Sanders completed the 1996 habitual season with 36 receptions, 475 receiving yards, and a ranking week taking part in reverse Michael Irvin in a star-studded offense. 

Hunter, who will create his Colorado debut Saturday vs. Disagree. 17 TCU (midday ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app) can affect the Buffaloes in a similar way as a CB1/WR1 in a Energy 5 program. The consensus five-star hire and Disagree. 1 general hire within the 2022 magnificence, according to 24/7 Sports activities, possesses uncommon characteristics as a dominant playmaker on every aspect of the ball. Hunter’s dimension, dimension, pace, and athleticism create him a unprecedented to find at both place. 

As a cornerback, the 6-foot-1, 165-pounder is a fluid athlete with the explosiveness and to shade elite receivers using diverse ways to reduce passing lanes. Hunter’s toughness, tenacity, instincts, and consciousness ring a bell in me of ways Jets standout Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner blankets All-Professional receivers on an island. 

Hunter, the 2022 SWAC Freshman of the Past completed the season with 20 tackles, 10 go breakups and two interceptions, however the statistics faded in comparison to the phenomenal talents he flashes on tape. As a second-year participant with handiest 8 collegiate video games underneath his belt, Hunter performs the sport like a 10-year NFL veteran at the perimeter. 

From his splendid instincts, consciousness, and course reputation talents to his skill to play games the receiver or the ball ailing the grassland, Hunter’s recreation has an All-Professional really feel to it. With extra reps and enjoy, it is going to be just about inconceivable to check in a of entirety on his aspect of the grassland when he’s in protection. 

“He is special,” stated a Colorado laborer with 20-plus years of NFL enjoy. “He has great tools and a high IQ. He understands the game better than some of the pros that I have coached in the past, and he is still learning the nuances of the game that could help him go to the next level… He’s special.” 

The majestic honour of Hunter’s abilities as a defender is matched via the rave evaluations he has gained as a go catcher/playmaker since highschool. Hunter is considered arguably the most efficient 7-on-7 receiver in historical past, and his little pattern dimension of offensive playmaking at Jackson Circumstance validates the honour. Regardless that the stat series does no longer pop on paper (18 catches, 188 yards, and 4 touchdowns), Hunter had 11 receptions, 135 yards, and 4 touchdowns over the overall 4 video games of the season — the ultimate two habitual season video games, SWAC Championship and Birthday celebration Bowl. 

Given the magnitude of the ones video games, significantly the SWAC Championship and Birthday celebration Bowl, Hunter’s bulky play games manufacturing means that he rises to the month as a playmaker. As a full-time receiver in an offense this is anticipated to throw the ball fairly a bit of, the sophomore sensation may just publish bulky numbers because the designated bulky play games specialist at the perimeter. As a smart course runner with explosive pace and quickness, he can threaten defenders with vertical pushes sooner than preventing on a dime to blast intermediate routes. Hunter’s steadiness, frame keep watch over, and hand-eye coordination create it simple to ascertain him thriving as a key contributor within the passing recreation. 

Even though veteran NFL coaches will wish to easy out the tough portions of his recreation as a course runner, his herbal ability and bulky play games attainable create him an early-round candidate as a flexible playmaker. 

With the varsity soccer global humming about Hunter’s distinctive skill as a two-way starter, the NFL scouting crowd is paying alike consideration to the sophomore’s recreation as he showcases the ability to emerge as a unprecedented CB1/WR1 anticipation.

Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports activities. He additionally breaks ailing the sport for NFL Community and as a cohost of the “Moving the Sticks” podcast. Observe him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.

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