Scouting Profile: Travis Hunter - CB/WR - Colorado
Sales Pitch: Unicorn prospect with first round abilities at two separate positions. Long term injury concerns and usage are welcome problems to have for a rare and uniquely gifted athlete.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Travis Hunter is a former 5-Star recruit from the state of Georgia where he was the #1 overall high school player in the nation. He spent his first year at Jackson State, where he was the SWAC Freshman of the Year before transferring to Colorado in 2023. During his two years in Boulder, Hunter put on one of the most unique displays of talent in college football history. The rare two way player at both WR and CB, Hunter logged over 3,000 total snaps in three years. He received unanimous All-Conference and All-American honors in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons and was the Heisman and Biletnikoff winner during his final season.
Cornerback
Hunter is a long rangy corner with fluid movement skills. He has the foot quickness and agility to match WRs one on one in man coverage at all three levels. He uses his plus arm length to disrupt WRs releases at the line of scrimmage and ride them to the sideline. Hunter has legit 4.4 speed that allows him to turn and run vertically. Even when he gets beat off the line he has the burst to quickly catch up and get back into position. Hunter’s WR background makes him an elite playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. He is calm and composed even with his back turned and attacks the ball in the air like the pass is meant for him. When combined with tremendous zone instincts it makes him a dangerous player on the back end teams must always be aware of.
Hunter has a leaner frame for the position and larger WRs can create separation at the top of routes with physicality. He also struggles to take on blocks in the run game due to his lack of size. While Hunter plays with the correct angles and leverage in his run fits, he is an average tackler and rarely attacks with aggression to close space between him and ball carriers. As a result of his high workload Hunter’s backside effort will wane over the course of the game as he takes plays off to preserve his energy.
Wide Receiver
Hunter is a explosive receiver who has the movement skills to win at all three levels. His first step burst off the line of scrimmage allows him to quickly eat up ground versus off coverage. He displays the agility and body control to smoothly get in and out of his breaks. Despite splitting time at two positions Hunter is very technically sound, knowing how to attack defenders blind spots to steal back leverage. His long speed and ball tracking make him a dangerous deep threat as well. Hunter has extremely dependable hands that attack the ball away from his frame. His body control and leaping ability allow him to rise and secure balls in contested catch situations. Hunter is an active receiver when the play breaks down. He never stops moving and shows an innate awareness for where the soft spots of zone are.
Hunter has below average size for a WR. His leaner frame lacks strength and aggressive press corners can disrupt his route timing. He is frequently shoved into the sideline when trying to release vertically on the outside. Hunter’s lack of strength also limits him as a ball carrier. He is a solid playmaker after the catch but lacks the size or strength to consistently break tackles. Similar to his run defense effort, Hunter often uses run blocking as an opportunity to rest. He lacks the size to be a difference maker and often opts to just wall off defenders as opposed to driving them out of the play.
Summary
Travis Hunter is a rare prospect due to his ability to play two sides of the ball. While he has never had to chose a position, given his slimmer frame and the physical demand of the NFL level it is unlikely he can continue to manage true two way responsibilities. The optimal way to deploy him at the next level is as a full time CB - his better position - and sub package WR3. Hunter is a legit first round prospect at both WR and CB due to his excellent physical tools and football instincts. He projects as the first non-QB off the board and could very well be the #1 overall pick.