Travis Hunter Compared to NFL Legend by Mel Kiper

It's extremely rare for a football player to excel on both sides of the ball at the highest levels. But that's what Colorado Buffaloes cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter is doing in Boulder.

Beyond the skill it takes to play well on both offense and defense, Hunter's stamina is equally as impressive. The junior played in 124 of 126 total snaps during Colorado's 31-26 rout of North Dakota State Bison last week. He totaled seven receptions for 132 yards with two touchdowns at wideout while adding three tackles on defense.

Hunter's abilities make him an intriguing NFL prospect once he hangs up his collegiate career. Eligible for next year's draft, the West Palm Beach, Florida native reminds ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. of a similar prospect coming out of Georgia in the 1999 draft.

Kiper named Hunter as his favorite player in college football during an appearance on ESPN's "Get Up." And offered a lofty player comparison to boot.

"You can make an argument 25 years ago it was what, Champ Bailey?" Kiper said . "Dual-threat guy. He can play offense (and) defense, right. Great corner in the NFL (and) a Hall of Famer. Travis Hunter at Colorado – is he a corner? Yeah, he's a great corner. Is he a receiver? Yeah, he's a great there."

Bailey, the No. 7 overall pick in 1999, played 16 seasons in the NFL after his career with the Georgia Bulldogs. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 1998 as the best defender in college football. Bailey went on to make 12 Pro Bowls and earn eight All-Pro selections during his pro career.

Kiper went on to tab Hunter as arguably "the best pure football player in this draft." He believes Hunter will be best served on offense due to his knack for finding the end zone and "changing that scoreboard."

The NFL draft seems like a distant event in the grand scheme of things, though, as Hunter is just one game into the 2024 season. Hunter and the Buffaloes have their hands full in preparing to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln this weekend. Kickoff is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC).

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