On a Thursday in Deion Sanders’ world that saw Julian Lewis unofficially enter CU’s orbit, Travis Hunter decided to more or less make his exit official.
Hunter, the CU Buffs’ two-way star and front-runner for the 2024 Heisman Trophy, said during a conference call with reporters Thursday that he’s “definitely” forgoing the rest of his collegiate eligibility to enter the 2025 NFL Draft.
“For sure,” Hunter added.
While the 6-foot-1 cornerback/wide receiver would have a season of eligibility remaining under NCAA rules, it was widely assumed from the minute he transferred into CU from Jackson State two winters ago that the 2024 season would be his last in Boulder.
Hunter and longtime teammate Shedeur Sanders, the Buffs’ QB1 and son of Coach Prime, are unanimously projected by experts to be taken among the top 6 picks in the upcoming draft. The only question is when — and where.
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In its latest mock draft, ESPN.com on Thursday projected Sanders going first to the Giants No. 1 overall via a New York trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who the site expected to have the top pick. ESPN predicted Hunter to go to Cleveland with the No. 2 pick.
CBS Sports’ latest mock draft also had Sanders landing with the Giants, but with pick No. 4. The site projected Hunter being taken first overall by the Jaguars.
Hunter leads CU in receptions (74), receiving yards (911), receiving touchdowns (nine), passes broken up (eight) and interceptions (three). He said his desire is to play full-time on both offense and defense in the NFL, even though some scouts feel a franchise may want him to chose one side over the other.
“I like when people tell me I can’t do it,” Hunter said, “because they just motivate me to continue to do what I want to do.”
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