Travis Hunter has been quite vocal about his playing abilities and intends to take his skills to the next level as one of the top prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft. The 21-year-old is now in Indianapolis to participate in the NFL Combine, where he will engage in interviews and meetings with several franchises.
On Thursday, after a brief meet with the reporters and media personalities, Hunter opened up about his ambitions. He wants to chase Deion Sanders’ legacy. The Hall of Famer was his mentor for over the last four years, right from Hunter’s playing days at Jackson State.
Travis Hunter Wants To Surpass Deion Sanders
A big credit to Hunter’s overall development as an extraordinary football player goes to Deion Sanders. He was more than a coach and a father figure at Colorado.
While Hunter takes to the NFL, he mentioned that surpassing Deion’s legacy and earning a golden jacket happens to be his sole ambition.
“Well, I need first; I need three Super Bowl rings, and I also gotta play good enough to get a gold jacket,” Hunter said while mentioning that he wants to outdo Coach Prime. When reporters said that now he is a Heisman winner, is there any need to still rally behind Sanders? Hunter said, “No, he did alright. He won the Jim Thorpe, and I don’t have that. So I gotta get a gold jacket, too. Okay?”
Travis Hunter on wanting to outdo Coach Prime and what he needs to do 👀
“First, I need 3 Super Bowls Rings, and I also have to play good enough to get a Gold Jacket.”
🎥 : @CBSSports pic.twitter.com/FhYMsMeGYA
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) February 27, 2025
Sanders has always been conservative about Travis Hunter’s future, just like his sons Shedeur and Shilo. Last season, he sent a stern message to NFL teams that anybody who drafts him should keep the options open for Hunter as a two-way athlete.
And those refusing to make the provisions should not draft him. “Travis could definitely (play both sides of the ball in the NFL),” Deion Sanders said back in 2024.
“He’s going to do that, or they shouldn’t draft him. Don’t do that. And I’m going to make sure of that. Don’t draft him if you’re not going to give him an opportunity to play on both sides of the ball. Now, you can be creative. He doesn’t have to do what we did with him here and play every snap.
“… You’re going to look like an idiot with your best receiver sitting on the bench, and you can’t get open, you can’t get the ball down the field. Or vice versa, with your best corner not on the field and they’re bombing you right now and he’s on the sideline with you,” he added.
Looking at the current draft order, the Tennessee Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick and are a likely spot for Hunter. If they pass on him, expect the Cleveland Browns or the New York Giants to target him with either the No. 2 or No. 3 pick in April.