Although the news isn’t too much of a surprise, 2024 will be the last time we see Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter play college football. On Thursday, the Buffs standout wide receiver and cornerback met with the media, and revealed some much-anticipated plans regarding his future. 

Hunter, who started his collegiate career at HBCU Jackson State before following his head coach Deion Sanders to Colorado, is a Heisman frontrunner. He has also helped lead Colorado to an 8-2 season so far, and the Buffs are tied for second in the Big 12 with a chance at a College Football Playoff bid. 

On Thursday, Hunter officially announced that he would be forgoing his 2025 season of NCAA eligibility and entering his name into the 2025 NFL draft. 

What did Travis Hunter say about the 2025 NFL Draft?

Speaking to reporters on a Zoom call, Hunter confirmed that he will start his NFL career following the 2024 college football season. Perhaps more importantly, Hunter confirmed that he wants to continue to play both ways. Currently Hunter plays both receiver and defensive back for the Buffs, where he thrives at both positions. 

Travis Hunter on zoom call says he has every intention of playing both ways in the NFL. And he’s definitely entering the draft after this season.

— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) November 21, 2024

Colorado’s Travis Hunter, asked if there’s any doubt he will head to the NFL after the season: “That’s definitely for sure.”

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 21, 2024

Hunter also spoke to reporters about his desire to play both ways at the next level. Although it hasn’t truly been done in the NFL in the modern era, Hunter wants teams to know that shouldn’t be a reason for him not to play both ways

“It’s never been done,” Hunter said via ESPN. “I understand that it will be a high risk, [teams] don’t want their top pick to go down two early and I know they’re going to want me to be in a couple packages. But I believe I can do it. Nobody has stopped me from doing it thus far.

“I like when people tell me I can’t do it.”

It’ll be interesting to see if Hunter does actually play both ways at the next level. Obviously the biggest concern for him is if he gets hurt and what that could mean for his future contract.

Perhaps teams will put certain snap counts written in his contract to protect him and his future earnings? Or perhaps language is in his deal that prohibits him from playing both ways? It’s a unique facet of this situation that is worth monitoring.

Even before the news of Hunter’s announcement broke, Colorado’s star player was at the top of various NFL mock draft boards for 2025. In the most recent Pro Football Focus mock released Thursday, the outlet had Hunter getting selected No. 1 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars: 

Hunter is the most unique draft prospect we’ve seen since PFF began collecting data, with a realistic possibility that he could play at least some of the time on both sides of the ball in the NFL. As a receiver, he has averaged 2.35 yards per route run in 2024; as a cornerback, he has earned an elite 88.2 PFF coverage grade.

There is a real chance that Hunter’s teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders, could be the next big name to enter the 2025 NFL draft. Although he hasn’t made an official announcement, Sanders is expected to be a projected first-round draft pick in an otherwise weak 2025 draft class for quarterbacks so far. 

Travis Hunter 2024 stats

It’s hard to encapsulate just how good Hunter is each and every week. Not only is he lighting up the Colorado stat sheet, he is playing in virtually every snap on both offense and defense for the Buffs this season. He’s been able to stay relatively healthy throughout the year, as well.

Here’s how Hunter’s numbers stack up in 2024:

• 74 receptions for 911 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 12.3 yards per reception
• 23 total tackles with three interceptions and a forced fumbles
• Leads Colorado in both receiving yards and pass breakups

The last two-way star to win the Heisman was Charles Woodson from Michigan in 1997. During Woodson’s 1997 Heisman-winning season, he had 11 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns, with a rushing touchdown. He also had seven interceptions on defense, including 43 tackles. 

What’s most impressive about Hunter? He’s playing far more snaps than Woodson did, averaging over 110 per game. Sanders, his head coach, has already made comments about Hunter’s ability to play both ways at the next level earlier in the season. 

“Yes, because a lot of teams are tempo, so he don’t get a lot of rest,” Sanders said in Septemer as transcribed by On3 Sports. “And just think about this. I just got finished talking to scouts about this, about what he can and cannot do. Pros go to huddle. So he’s even getting more time to rest. So most teams you play, they run some type of a tempo or the transition is much greater than pros from snap to snap.

“So with him getting that amount of rest, he cannot help but be a great pro. Practices are limited. There’s barely no contact. You can’t even hit a receiver downfield in the NFL no more. So I think he’s a great compliment to that game, and he could continue to do what he’s doing now.”

One of Hunter’s most impressive plays came against Baylor earlier in the season. On the Bears’ touchdown attempt that would have sent the game to double-overtime, Hunter forced the game-winning fumble: 

TRAVIS HUNTER FORCES FUMBLE FOR THE WIN 😳 (via @CFBONFOX)

pic.twitter.com/SZCFkbWuNh

— Overtime (@overtime) September 22, 2024

During that game, Hunter also finished with seven receptions for 130 yards. His best game as a receiver came during Colorado’s Oct. 26 win over Cincinnati. He had a season-high nine catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns.  Against Colorado State in Week 3, he accounted for an interception, three total tackles and a pass breakup. 

We’ll see if Hunter can add a Heisman and Big 12 championship to his resume before the 2024 season is over.