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: 10/02/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.40 seconds (84%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 05/18/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 10/02/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.40 seconds (84%*) | |
| Age: 21.6 DOB: 05/18/2003 | |
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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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79% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 65.8 | |
| Tackling: |
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80% |
| Run Defense: |
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96% |
| 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: 28 College Snaps: 1694 | ||
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) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Patrick Surtain II - Alabama |
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79% |
| Emmanuel Forbes - Mississippi State |
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78% |
| Trent McDuffie - Washington |
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71% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Travis Hunter is a dual-threat cornerback and wide receiver from Colorado who has become the most electrifying two-way player in college football. The 6'1", 185-pound junior was born on May 18, 2003 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Hunter was a consensus 5-star recruit and the #1 overall prospect in the 2022 class coming out of Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia.After initially committing to Florida State, Hunter made headlines by flipping to Jackson State to play for Deion Sanders, becoming the first 5-star recruit to sign with an FCS program. In his freshman season at Jackson State in 2022, Hunter recorded 20 tackles, 10 pass breakups, and 2 interceptions on defense while adding 18 receptions for 188 yards and 4 touchdowns on offense.
Hunter followed Sanders to Colorado in 2023, where he truly broke out as a two-way star. In just 9 games, he racked up 57 catches for 721 yards and 5 touchdowns as a receiver while notching 30 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 5 pass breakups as a cornerback. His remarkable two-way performance earned him consensus first-team All-American honors and the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player.
In 2024, Hunter continued to dominate on both sides of the ball. Through the first five games of the season, he led the team with 46 catches for 561 yards and 6 touchdowns as a receiver. Defensively, he recorded 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble while consistently shadowing the opponent's top receiver.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Generational athlete with freakish fluidity and explosiveness, consistently showcasing elite traits on both sides of the ball
- Ball hawk with uncanny instincts and route recognition, leading to game-changing plays and turnovers
- Silky smooth in transition with elite hip flip and backpedal, allowing for seamless coverage adjustments
- Sticky in man coverage with excellent mirror-and-match skills, consistently locking down top receivers
- Natural hands catcher who plucks the ball away from his frame, making difficult catches look routine
- Devastating route runner with crisp breaks and sudden acceleration, creating consistent separation
- Rare twitch and lateral agility to make defenders miss in space, turning short catches into big gains
- Possesses an extra gear to take the top off the defense, threatening defenses vertically
- Exceptional football IQ and play recognition, often diagnosing plays pre-snap
- Unmatched versatility, excelling at a high level on both offense and defense
- Tremendous stamina and conditioning, averaging 130 snaps per game across both sides of the ball
- Heisman Trophy contender, with the potential to be the first primarily defensive player to win since Charles Woodson
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lean frame that could use additional mass and functional strength to better handle physical play at the next level
- Can get bodied by bigger receivers at the catch point, potentially limiting effectiveness against larger NFL targets
- Occasionally gets grabby when beaten, leading to flags that could be exploited by savvy NFL quarterbacks
- Needs to improve block shedding technique against the run to become a more complete cornerback
- Limited experience as a full-time starter at either position, which may require a learning curve in the NFL
- Two-way playing style, while impressive in college, may not be sustainable in the NFL, potentially limiting his impact to one side of the ball
Scouting Report: Summary
Hunter is a blue-chip prospect with the versatility to be a game-changer on either side of the ball at the next level. His rare blend of fluidity, explosiveness, and ball skills give him shutdown potential as a corner and playmaking upside as a receiver. In a press-man heavy scheme, Hunter could thrive as a lockdown boundary corner with the ability to match up against top-tier wideouts.Offensively, Hunter profiles as a dynamic Z receiver who can create separation at all three levels and be a YAC monster. While his frame is on the leaner side, Hunter's competitiveness and toughness should allow him to hold up physically. The team that selects him will need to decide whether to deploy him primarily on one side of the ball or as a part-time two-way weapon.
Regardless of positional fit, Hunter's unique skill set and game-breaking ability make him one of the most coveted prospects in recent memory. His football instincts, competitive fire, and two-way production suggest he has the potential to be a franchise-altering talent at the next level. As a legitimate Heisman contender and widely regarded as one of the best players in college football, Hunter's transition to the NFL is highly anticipated and could redefine positional expectations in the professional ranks.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Travis Hunter (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
4.8
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.