The Colorado Buffaloes remain must-see television. Even in games they struggle in, the combination of Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders, and Deion Sanders is entertaining. In Week 9 against UCLA, Hunter joined a unique group of stars with his on-field achievements.
What did Hunter accomplish in Week 9, and what does it mean for his future?
Travis Hunter Makes NCAA History
Hunter is already one of the most interesting people and players in college football. His popular Twitch stream has incredibly revealed his personality, mindset about life, and humble attitude. He hasn’t shied away from talking about things like his lacerated kidney injury, team struggles, and his goals.
Hunter’s desire to win is immense, resulting in him playing on both sides of the ball as much as possible for Colorado. While most players rotate throughout games while playing offense or defense, Hunter regularly plays over 100 total snaps weekly. His performance hasn’t noticeably suffered despite the challenge and fatigue.
In Week 9, Hunter became the third player in the last 25 years to catch at least 30 passes on offense and three interceptions on defense, per ESPN. The company he joined?
Former first-round NFL picks Chris Gamble (2002) and Champ Bailey (1998).
Gamble was the 28th overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2004, playing nine seasons and producing an excellent career as a cornerback. He totaled 27 interceptions but never played offense despite catching 38 passes for 577 yards in college.
Bailey was an even better player than Gamble. The former Georgia Bulldog finished seventh in the Heisman voting in 1998, catching 47 passes for 744 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions. In his collegiate career, he had 59 receptions for 978 yards and eight interceptions.
The seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders, Bailey had a Hall of Fame career as a shutdown, playmaking corner. He’s regarded as one of the best players to ever suit up at the position.
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Hunter is looking to carve his own path. There’s been debate about which position he should stick with as his career progresses. History says it’s unlikely he can sustain this level of workload.
Through Week 9, Hunter has 32 receptions for 360 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions in only five games played. He missed three games due to a kidney laceration and Hunter wanted to return early before being denied.
The 6’1″, 185-pounder has obvious explosiveness for both positions. He has a huge catch radius, good speed, and great short-area quickness for his length. His thinner build allows him to be springy, but he doesn’t play small.
The deciding factor for Hunter’s best long-term position might be his instincts and ball production at corner. Although he was the victim of a career performance by Stanford’s Elic Ayomanor upon his return, Hunter was in a good position to force difficult catches. Losing some reps just comes with playing the position.
The need for Hunter’s combination of length, quickness, and knack for playing the ball can solidify him as a Round 1 prospect in 2025. While it’s admirable that Hunter is taking on so much, he must consider replicating Gamble’s path. Gamble played receiver only sparingly in the year before he entered the NFL.
A full season honing in on his cornerback skills would help him focus on the nuance of the position and protect his body from unnecessary damage. Plus, with the likelihood of Shedeur Sanders entering the NFL after this season seeming fairly high, Hunter would be unlikely to replicate his offensive success without a star passer.
