Nov 17, 2023; Pullman, Washington, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) dives in for a touchdown against Washington State Cougars defensive back Jamorri Colson (29) in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Travis Hunter CB Colorado | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Travis Hunter CB Colorado
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.40 seconds (84%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.8 DOB: 05/18/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 02/07/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.40 seconds (84%*) | |
| Age: 21.8 DOB: 05/18/2003 | |
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SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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| Overall Rating: | 93.4 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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78% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 59.1 | |
| Tackling: |
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85% |
| Run Defense: |
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90% |
| Coverage: |
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100% |
| Zone: |
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97% |
| Man/Press: |
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100% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#1
Position rank:
#1
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| College Games: 30 College Snaps: 1805 | ||
ESPN RATING: 94/100
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247 RATING: 100/100
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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| Patrick Surtain II - Alabama |
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80% |
| Emmanuel Forbes - Mississippi State |
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65% |
| Roger McCreary - Auburn |
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64% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Hunter emerged as the most electrifying two-way talent in modern college football history. A perfect-rated five-star recruit (247Sports: 1.000, Rivals: 6.1, ESPN: 94), he made history by becoming the first five-star recruit to sign with an FCS program, choosing Jackson State over Florida State. At Collins Hill High School, he had dominated both sides of the ball, amassing 3,963 receiving yards and 48 TDs (Georgia state record) while tallying 19 interceptions and 18 pass breakups defensively en route to leading his team to their first Georgia State Championship.Hunter's collegiate journey began at Jackson State in 2022, where he recorded 20 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions defensively while adding 18 receptions for 188 yards and 4 touchdowns on offense. Following Coach Deion Sanders to Colorado in 2023, Hunter's impact exploded despite playing only 9 games due to injury. He logged an unprecedented 1,742 snaps (631 defense, 475 offense) while maintaining elite production on both sides - 57 receptions for 721 yards and 5 TDs offensively, while defensively recording 3 interceptions, 5 pass breakups, and 30 tackles (2 TFL).
The 2024 season saw Hunter redefine two-way excellence with 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs as a receiver while allowing just 22 receptions on 38 targets (57.9%) with 4 interceptions and 11 pass breakups as a corner. His defensive passer rating allowed of 38.7 ranked first among Power Five corners with 400+ coverage snaps. Adding to his on-field achievements, Hunter maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while playing more snaps than any other FBS player, becoming the first player in NCAA history to win the Heisman Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award (top defensive player), and the Biletnikoff Award (top receiver) in the same season.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Possesses rare blend of twitch and fluidity that allows him to mirror receivers in man coverage while maintaining optimal leverage through their stems and breaks
- Elite ball skills translate from WR background - transforms into the aggressor at catch point with exceptional timing and body control to high-point throws
- Shows advanced route recognition and mental processing speed, routinely beating receivers to their landmarks before they execute their breaks
- Brings controlled violence as a tackler despite lean frame, taking smart angles and showing outstanding spatial awareness in run support
- Demonstrates veteran-level patience in press coverage, varying his approach and using efficient footwork to maintain positioning without opening his hips early
- Conditioning level is off the charts - played more defensive snaps than any Power 5 corner while moonlighting as WR1 with no dropoff in performance
- Rare competitive toughness shows up in crucial moments - forced game-saving fumble vs Baylor and sealed multiple wins with late interceptions
- Processing speed and football IQ allow him to bait quarterbacks into poor decisions while maintaining leverage to recover and make plays
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Frame remains somewhat linear at 185 pounds - will need to add functional mass to hold up against NFL receivers and survive in run support long-term
- Can occasionally rely too heavily on athleticism to recover rather than maintaining disciplined technique through entire route stem
- Shows some stiffness in his transitions when matched up against shifty slot receivers working underneath routes out of breaks
- Despite willing tackling, can get engulfed by larger receivers and offensive linemen when forced to take on blocks in space
- While effective in zone, sometimes gets caught peeking into backfield looking for big plays rather than staying disciplined in his assignment
Scouting Report: Summary
The most intriguing debate surrounding Hunter extends beyond which position maximizes his generational talent - it centers on whether his two-way experience helps or hinders his NFL projection. His 1,152 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns showcase legitimate WR1 potential, and his route-running polish would warrant first-round consideration on offense alone. However, some traditional evaluators may view his split focus as a deterrent, preferring prospects who've dedicated themselves exclusively to mastering one position.Despite these concerns, Hunter's highest ceiling remains at cornerback, where his unique combination of ball skills, processing speed, and fluid athleticism project him as a potential shutdown corner in the mold of Charles Woodson. While he could excel as a big-play receiver, his ability to eliminate an opponent's top target while creating turnovers provides more game-changing value in today's pass-heavy league. Smart coordinators will still utilize his offensive talents in specific packages, but his future should be on defense where he can control games from the boundary.
This positional versatility ultimately becomes both his greatest strength and biggest question mark in draft evaluation. While some teams will see his two-way ability as proof of elite athleticism and football IQ, others may prefer a more conventional corner who's spent years focusing solely on defensive technique. His rare athletic traits and mental processing speed still project him as a likely top-5 selection, but his path to NFL stardom will likely require committing fully to cornerback while maintaining his offensive skills as a situational weapon rather than a primary role.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Travis Hunter (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
2.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
1.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.