Travis Hunter is the heavy favourite to win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night time, which make him the primary two-way participant since Charles Woodson to win the award. 

The 2024 AP Faculty Soccer Participant of the Yr, Hunter’s record of accolades in 2024 and through his two-year Colorado profession, to not point out his time at Jackson State in 2022 and his chops as the previous No. 1 total recruit within the 2022 class, have him simply sooner or later pantheon as a future Faculty Soccer Corridor of Famer. Veteran CBSSports.com author Dennis Dodd counts Hunter as No. 2 among the many greatest gamers he is seen in particular person. 

To have fun Hunter’s highway to glory from Collins Hill Excessive College in Sewanee, Georgia, to New York Metropolis, we have pulled collectively just a few vignettes and information tales throughout the CBS Sports activities and 247Sports web sites that inform Hunter’s story. 

Travis Hunter is “him”

March 25, 2021: A vignette from Andrew Ivins, 247Sports Director of Scouting

There are uncommon moments in scouting when a participant calls for your full consideration, leaving an indelible mark. The primary for me was in 2017, watching Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields duel at The Opening Finals. The second got here two weeks in the past at a Pylon 7-on-7 event close to Atlanta, the place I witnessed the legend of Travis Hunter firsthand.

Heading into that weekend, I already knew Hunter was particular. His sport tape and junior stats — 51 tackles, eight interceptions, 137 catches for 1,746 yards, and 24 touchdowns — screamed elite. However watching him in particular person, it grew to become clear: Hunter is likely to be one of the best participant I’ve ever scouted.

In a single sequence, lined up as a large receiver, Hunter was bracketed by two defenders. Most would have taken the play off. Not Hunter. He beat the double group for a landing. Moments later, when Cam Newton—teaching the opposing group—challenged him to play protection, Hunter obliged. Two snaps later, he intercepted a cross in the long run zone and tossed the ball towards Newton with a smile.

The subsequent day, Hunter arrived on the amenities carrying a wolf stuffed animal round his neck — a becoming image for a participant who stands aside from the pack. He capped the weekend with a jaw-dropping one-handed catch behind the tip zone, climbing an imaginary ladder in a play that appeared nearly legendary.

Critics would possibly dismiss 7-on-7 as “not actual soccer,” however Hunter’s dominance carries over to Friday nights. His play on either side of the ball at Suwanee (Ga.) Collins Hill earned him the twin title of CB1 and WR1 within the class of 2022, a testomony to his unmatched versatility.

Hunter’s mindset separates him even additional. Final summer season, he introduced his toddler brother to a exercise, juggling reps and childcare with out lacking a beat.

Regardless of heavy curiosity from Alabama, Florida, and Oregon, Hunter remained verbally dedicated to Florida State. He even admitted to dodging Nick Saban’s calls. “I maintain dodging it,” he stated with a smile.

Travis Hunter’s story is not nearly his absurd athletic means — it is about his mindset, poise, and charisma. On that 7-on-7 area, the legend of Hunter took form, and it was clear: This is not only a particular participant. This can be a generational one.

Hunter shocks school soccer, indicators with Jackson State

Dec. 15, 2021

Travis Hunter, the nation’s high recruit and a long-time Florida State commit, shocked the faculty soccer world by signing with Jackson State through the Early Signing Interval. The five-star athlete, rated 0.9999 within the Composite rankings, flipped to the FCS program led by Seminoles legend Deion Sanders, discarding an FSU hat in favor of Jackson State gear at his signing ceremony.

Hunter, who grew up an FSU fan and had been dedicated since 2020, was a pivotal piece of the Seminoles’ recruiting class and a frontrunner in attracting different high expertise. His late determination, reportedly influenced by NIL alternatives, is a significant blow to Mike Norvell’s efforts to rebuild FSU.

Hunter’s three-year highschool profession included 19 interceptions and 46 receiving touchdowns, showcasing his uncommon two-way expertise. His dedication to Jackson State not solely marks a historic recruiting second but in addition elevates the profile of HBCU soccer underneath Sanders’ management.

Hunter displays on historic determination, expectations at JSU

March 3, 2022: A Q&A with 247Sports’ Chris Hummer

In December 2021, Travis Hunter despatched shockwaves by means of school soccer by selecting Jackson State over Florida State, changing into the primary No. 1 total recruit to signal with an HBCU. Now enrolled and figuring out with the Tigers, Hunter shared his ideas on the flip, his targets, and his life underneath the highlight.

Q: What’s life been like since committing to Jackson State?
Hunter: “It has been good. We have been figuring out every single day, getting my physique proper for the season.”

Q: Within the days after the announcement that shocked the world, who was essentially the most fascinating particular person you heard from?
Hunter: “I just about did not hear from anybody. It was simply who was posting. Those that amazed me have been Lil Wayne, The Rock and LeBron James.”

Q: How did the choice to flip come collectively?
Hunter: “Just about no person came upon. It was simply me and coach having that relationship. It wasn’t all about soccer. We talked about different stuff like fishing. I discovered him extra he discovered me extra.”

Q: What was Florida State’s response?
Hunter: “I texted them. I did not get on the cellphone with them. I talked over textual content. That is it. Coach (Mike) Norvell shot me a textual content and stated congrats. He wasn’t mad or nothing. He stated congrats.”

Q: You may play each methods at Jackson State. Lengthy-term, do you see your self as a nook or receiver?
Hunter:  “I take quite a lot of satisfaction in taking part in nook. It’s a must to be actually aggressive to play nook, and I am actually aggressive. I simply play receiver as a result of I do know I can get open. I do not suppose anyone can guard me at receiver.

Q: Might you protect yourself at receiver?
Hunter (laughs): “You may by no means discover out.”

Q: What do you admire most about Coach Prime’s sport?
Hunter: “He is an all-around participant. That is one thing I wish to be. He can play both facet of the soccer. He can play left or proper cornerback on protection. He can play all of it..”

Q: What are your targets on your first yr?
Hunter: “To do what everybody expects me to do. Shock the world like I did after I dedicated.”

Q: What do you hope to perform at Jackson State?
Hunter: “I wish to be sure that I make the correct path for everyone to come back. I do not need this to be a one-time factor. I would like different huge stars to take a look at (HBCUs).”

Q: What do you suppose it’ll take for that to occur?
Hunter: “Individuals have to speak with HBCUs. Extra visits at HBCUs and so they’ll be capable of get extra high-profile gamers … They do not have sufficient assets, folks suppose. However when you come right here you may see. You simply need to go to the correct college, the varsity that matches you. You may get lot of assets, quite a lot of all the things.”

Q: Individuals say you will not keep at Jackson State lengthy. What are your plans?
Hunter: “To have the ability to graduate from Jackson State and to have the ability to go to the league from Jackson State”

Hunter follows Coach Prime to Colorado

Dec. 21, 2022

Travis Hunter, the top-ranked participant within the NCAA switch portal and a two-way standout at Jackson State, has formally transferred to Colorado, reuniting with head coach Deion Sanders. Hunter introduced his determination on his YouTube channel, donning a Colorado cap and declaring, “I am formally a Buffalo.”

The transfer aligns with Sanders’ promise to raise Colorado’s roster with “Louis Vuitton” expertise, a reference to his earlier feedback about bringing top-caliber gamers to Boulder.

Hunter, a former five-star recruit and the No. 1 total prospect within the Class of 2022, excelled underneath Sanders at Jackson State, contributing as each a cornerback and broad receiver through the Tigers’ 12-1 season. He totaled 20 tackles, two interceptions, and 4 receiving touchdowns in eight video games.

Although Colorado was the favourite to land Hunter after Sanders’ hiring, different applications like Georgia, Miami, and USC pursued the dynamic athlete. In the end, Hunter selected to observe Sanders, persevering with their profitable partnership on the subsequent degree.

Hunter’s switch solidifies Sanders’ daring imaginative and prescient for remodeling Colorado soccer and underscores Hunter’s potential to excel on either side of the ball in Boulder.

The day a two-way star was born

Sept. 5, 2023: A vignette from 247Sports’ Chris Hummer

FORT WORTH, Texas — Texas was scorched by 21 straight days of triple-digit warmth this summer season, and the inferno carried over to Amon G. Carter Stadium for Colorado’s opener towards TCU. At 98 levels, it felt hotter, sending greater than 50 followers to EMS for heat-related points. It was on this sweltering cauldron that Travis Hunter delivered a efficiency for the ages, taking part in 145 snaps of transcendent, two-way soccer.

Colorado shocked No. 17 TCU, 45-42, however the day belonged to Hunter. His 80 snaps at cornerback included a game-turning red-zone interception. On offense, he added 11 catches on 14 targets, lots of them contested grabs towards elite defenders. “That dude is completely different,” a Colorado staffer marveled.

Head coach Deion Sanders did not wait lengthy to declare Hunter’s greatness. By halftime, he was campaigning: “If we hit him on these two deep balls, the Heisman is chilling in his crib proper now.”

Hunter, the previous No. 1 recruit, isn’t any stranger to the highlight, flipping his dedication to Jackson State in a seismic transfer and fascinating followers along with his switch to Colorado. However on this blazing September day, he actually arrived. His sideline consciousness, athleticism, and soccer IQ drew nationwide comparisons to legends like Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey.

At the same time as mortals within the stands wilted from the warmth, Hunter closed the sport with vitality to spare, jogging the stadium’s perimeter to high-five followers and signal autographs. 

Travis Hunter gave the folks what they needed — and a glimpse of historical past within the making.

One other season-opener to recollect

Aug. 30, 2024: A vignette from CBS Sports activities’ Brandon Marcello

BOULDER, Colo. — In a stunning show of athleticism, Travis Hunter delivered a masterful three-touchdown efficiency in Colorado’s 31-26 win over North Dakota State, cementing his standing as one of the vital coveted NFL prospects of his technology.

Hunter, taking part in 129 snaps, 72 of them at cornerback, appeared unstoppable, drawing comparisons to The Matrix with acrobatic catches and physics-defying performs. His first contact of the season: a 41-yard landing showcasing his blazing pace. His closing catch? A fingertip seize in the long run zone, hauling within the ball regardless of a defender draped over him like a moist blanket.

“Travis is phenomenal,” stated head coach Deion Sanders. “Each final one in all his performs could possibly be on SportsCenter.”

Hunter shrugged off the highlight after the sport. “I simply need my group to win each week,” he stated. “We have got to make a press release. We’re right here to remain.”

‘He is a real-life ironman’: Hunter defies two-way logic

Nov. 11, 2024: A vignette from CBS Sports activities’ Dennis Dodd

Travis Hunter has redefined what it means to be a two-way participant, pushing the boundaries of bodily endurance, psychological resilience, and soccer brilliance. 

“In all probability as soon as in a lifetime,” stated Eric McCarty, Colorado’s director of sports activities medication, of Hunter’s distinctive talents.

The comparability to previous legends is unavoidable. Chuck Bednarik, the unique “60-Minute Man,” performed each methods within the 1960 NFL Championship Recreation. Charles Woodson and Champ Bailey shone as multi-dimensional threats in school soccer’s storied historical past. However Hunter’s sturdiness and manufacturing in as we speak’s hyper-specialized sport elevate him into uncharted territory.

This season, Hunter is among the many nationwide leaders as a receiver. He is additionally clearly top-of-the-line cornerbacks. 

His bodily items, inherited from a father who excelled in soccer and observe, mix with cutting-edge restoration strategies like hyperbaric chambers and superior dietary supplements. But the intangible qualities additionally set him aside.

“He has a singular metabolism and a really fast restoration charge,” McCarty stated. “A number of his means is pure, however his mindset is what makes him distinctive.”

Hunter’s restoration is not nearly bodily stamina. His psychological toughness has allowed him to beat accidents, together with a lacerated liver final season. Nonetheless, he continues to dominate at a degree that has even NFL scouts envisioning methods to make use of him as each a receiver and a cornerback within the execs.

“He is a throwback from one other period,” stated veteran columnist Kirk Bohls. “If he have been doing this at Alabama or Ohio State, he’d be a unanimous Heisman winner.”

Hunter’s means to rise to each problem is clear in moments like his fingertip interception towards Texas Tech, a play that did not even rely resulting from an offsides penalty however demonstrated his freakish athleticism.

“He is in all probability not totally recovered till Wednesday or Thursday,” stated coach Jordan Palmer, who works with elite athletes like Joe Burrow. “However he is on the market each week, taking part in two-thirds of all potential snaps.”

Hunter the heavy favourite to win 2024 Heisman Trophy

Dec. 9, 2024

The 2024 Heisman Trophy finalists have been introduced on Monday, and the record options a few of the greatest and brightest gamers from what was a dramatic school soccer season. Colorado’s Travis Hunter, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Miami’s Cameron Ward head to New York, the place one will likely be topped because the 79th Heisman Trophy winner at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday. 

Hunter is the heavy favourite to win the Heisman Trophy (-2500) and heads to New York after placing up maybe essentially the most profitable all-purpose season since Jim Thorpe. The Colorado star performed full time at each broad receiver and cornerback, and he completed high 5 nationally in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, passes defended and No. 1 in PFF protection grade. Hunter cleared 90 catches, 1,000 yards, 14 touchdowns and 4 interceptions and is a finalist for a number of different postseason awards on each offense and protection.