Travis Hunter (American football)

Hunter was considered the number one overall recruit by both 247Sports.com and Rivals.com,[10][11] as well as number two by ESPN (behind Walter Nolen).[12] After having received a scholarship from Florida State in November 2019, he committed to the Seminoles on March 3, 2020, one day after making his first visit to the school.[13] He made his choice over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Michigan and Oklahoma, among others.[10]

On December 15, 2021, Hunter flipped his commitment to the Jackson State Tigers coached by Deion Sanders, a Florida State alum, in an unprecedented move.[5][14][15] He had visited the school the month before, attending their sellout Soul Bowl victory on November 20.[16] As the number one recruit in the nation, Hunter became the first five-star recruit to ever sign with a HBCU or an FCS program.[14] Dustin Lewis of Sports Illustrated called it "probably the most shocking decision in the history of college football recruiting" while Steve Wiltfong, the national director of recruiting for 247Sports.com, said it was "the biggest signing day moment in the history of college football".[5][15]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes

Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Travis Hunter CB	Suwanee, Georgia	Collins Hill High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	165 lb (75 kg)	Dec 15, 2021
	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "2022 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

Hunter recorded two receiving touchdowns and two interceptions in the Jackson State spring game, which was the first HBCU spring game to ever be nationally televised.[17] Hunter recorded his first collegiate touchdown as well as his first interception against Alabama A&M on November 12, 2022.[18] As a freshman, Hunter accumulated 15 total tackles, nine pass breakups, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and one defensive touchdown in seven games played. On offense, he added 14 receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns.[19]

With Deion Sanders departing Jackson State for the head coaching position at the University of Colorado, it was widely reported that Hunter would likely follow Sanders to the program.[20][21][22] On December 19, Hunter entered the transfer portal,[23] and he officially announced his transfer to Colorado two days later on December 21, 2022.[24] In his FBS debut against 2023 College Football Playoff finalist Texas Christian University, Hunter logged a performance in which he played 147 total snaps on offense and defense.[25] Colorado defeated TCU 45–42 as 21 point underdogs.[26] Hunter accumulated 11 receptions and 119 receiving yards. On defense, he totaled three tackles, an interception, and three passes defended. Hunter was one of four Colorado receivers with at least 100 yards receiving.[27]

On February 16, 2022, it was announced that Hunter signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with J5 Caffe, a Black-owned coffee company based in Columbus, Mississippi.[29]

On July 27, 2022, Hunter signed a multiyear endorsement deal with Greenwood, a financial technology company based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the first NIL deal for Greenwood.[30]

In September, he became a brand ambassador for Michael Strahan's brands.[31]