JUST IN: Deion Sanders warns NFL teams about Travis Hunter draft plans
Deion Sanders will ensure the NFL does one thing with his best player. Colorado coach Deion Sanders all but guaranteed Heisman winner Travis Hunter will be a two-way player in the NFL as one of the 2025 draft’s top prospects. He intends to do everything in his power to ensure that happens. Sanders warned NFL teams this week to best utilize Hunter’s skill set means playing offense and defense. “He’s gonna do that, or they shouldn’t draft him. Don’t do that,” Sanders said on The Rich Eisen Show. “And I’m gonna make sure of that.
Don’t draft him if you’re not gonna give him the opportunity to play on both sides of the ball.”. Creativity is key when orchestrating Hunter’s abilities, Sanders said. Hunter played 670 snaps on offense and 686 snaps on defense this season for the Buffaloes as a two-way starter. Hunter managed 31 tackles, 11 pass deflections and four interceptions at cornerback. “He don’t have to do what we did with him here and play every snap,” Sanders said. Hunter won the Biletnikoff Award given to the nation’s best receiver after hauling in 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense. Earlier this season, former NFL wideout Chad Johnson asked Sanders if Hunter was more dynamic at wideout or cornerback, Sanders told him to determine his own designation. “I ain’t telling ya nothing,” Sanders said on the Johnson and Shannon Sharpe on the “Nightcap” podcast. “I’m treating you like a pro scout. You’re gonna have to find out on your own. I know the answer.”.
Sanders’ response reflected his intention to let Hunter’s versatility and performance on the field speak for itself. He acknowledged that while Hunter has had more opportunities to shine as a wideout, that doesn’t necessarily mean his skill set as a cornerback is lacking. Former NFL All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman said in September that Hunter was “bland” offensively and is better-suited on defense. So before recording a touchdown reception and interception during a win at UCF, Hunter wore a black t-shirt with “BLAND” across the front in white letters, an ode to the previous comments. Hunter said that the two actually talked and Sherman apologized. “We talked on the phone,” Hunter said. “There’s no negative energy, he was telling me that he watches me a lot. I modeled my game after him when I was younger, he was a lock-down DB.”. Get the latest football and basketball transfer portal news from 247Sports. Hunter elaborated that the comments hurt him because of how much he idolized Sherman growing up. This article originates on 247Sports.