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: 12/16/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.40 seconds (84%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 21.7 DOB: 05/18/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
Last Updated: 12/16/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.40 seconds (84%*) | |
Age: 21.7 DOB: 05/18/2003 | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
|
Overall Rating: | 93.4 / 100 | |
---|---|---|
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
|
79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 61.6 | |
Tackling: |
|
82% |
Run Defense: |
|
95% |
Coverage: |
|
100% |
Zone: |
|
99% |
Man/Press: |
|
100% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
1st - Top 5
Overall Rank:
#1
Position rank:
#1
|
||
College Games: 29 College Snaps: 1742 | ||
|
||
|
||
|
Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
---|---|---|
Patrick Surtain II - Alabama |
|
78% |
Emmanuel Forbes - Mississippi State |
|
67% |
Roger McCreary - Auburn |
|
62% |
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
- Plus-plus click-and-close ability in off coverage with elite plant-and-drive mechanics that translate to both WR breaks and CB transitions
- Exhibits advanced pattern match recognition from press alignment - routinely beats receivers to their break point through exceptional film study and instincts
- Displays elite transitional footwork through his pedal with zero wasted movement - can flip hips and run vertically without losing position
- Natural hands catcher with plus-plus ball skills on both sides - high-points like a WR in coverage and shows exceptional tracking ability through contact
- Rare reactive athleticism allows him to mirror-match any release with patient feet and fluid lower body mechanics
- Distinguished football IQ manifests in route recognition and bait techniques - shows advanced understanding of offensive concepts from playing WR
- Premium movement skills in space with exceptional COD ability - changes direction without gathering and maintains top-end speed through transitions
- Elite competitive toughness evident in his ability to maintain high-level performance despite unprecedented snap counts on both sides of the ball
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Will need to add functional mass to his frame to better stack-and-shed against NFL-caliber blocking receivers
- Occasionally relies on recovery speed over technique in press coverage - will need to be more disciplined with initial jam timing
- Durability concerns due to missed time in each collegiate season - workload management will be crucial
- Can get overaggressive jumping underneath routes - NFL quarterbacks will exploit these tendencies
- Would benefit from more consistency in tackle technique - sometimes leads with shoulder instead of wrapping up
Scouting Report: Summary
Hunter represents a transformative talent who could revolutionize how NFL teams think about positional flexibility. His rare ability to win as both a shutdown corner and dynamic receiver presents fascinating strategic possibilities for creative coaching staffs. As a cornerback, he brings elite pattern recognition, exceptional fluidity, and ball skills that could make him one of the league's premier defenders. His receiver background manifests in advanced route diagnosis and exceptional hands - he attacks the ball at its highest point whether playing offense or defense. Meanwhile, his receiving skillset (92/1,152/14 in 2024) offers legitimate WR1 potential, with precise route-running, natural hands, and explosive run-after-catch ability that could make him a nightmare for opposing secondaries.While the temptation will be strong to utilize Hunter as a true two-way player, his highest ceiling lies at cornerback, where his combination of athleticism, instincts, and technical prowess projects him as a potential shutdown defender. That said, his receiving abilities shouldn't be shelved completely - smart coordinators could deploy him as a situational offensive weapon in critical moments, similar to how Deion Sanders was used during his prime. Picture a defensive star who can step in on key third downs or in the red zone, forcing defenses to account for a corner who runs routes with wide receiver precision.
Heisman winner Hunter's closest historical comparison remains Champ Bailey, another two-way college star who became a Hall of Fame cornerback while retaining the ability to contribute offensively when needed. Hunter brings similar athletic gifts with even more refined receiving skills, potentially offering a new blueprint for positional versatility at the NFL level. While his ultimate value will be highest as a boundary corner who can eliminate an opponent's top receiver, his offensive capabilities make him one of the most intriguing defensive prospects in draft history. A guaranteed top-5 selection who could easily go first overall, Hunter has the potential to become both a shutdown corner and the NFL's most dangerous offensive secret weapon.
Written By:
Lennox Tate
How other scouting services rate Travis Hunter (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
4.6
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.