Colorado fans have watched Travis Hunter redefine college football. Now, a former NFL player says he’s the next Deion Sanders. Can he live up to the hype?
Travis Hunter called best athlete since Deion Sanders by NFL veteran originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Colorado Buffaloes fans already knew Travis Hunter was different. Now the rest of the football world is catching on. During a national segment on Good Morning Football, former NFL cornerback Jahleel Addae dropped a comparison that turned heads from Boulder to Jacksonville.
“He’s the best athlete since Deion Sanders,” Addae said, not hesitating to put Hunter in a class of one.
That’s more than hype. That’s a challenge, and one Hunter just might be built to meet.
Hunter’s Rare Two-Way Dominance
Before he ever played a down in the NFL, Hunter did what no one else in college football could. In 2023 at Colorado, he played over 100 snaps per game, on both sides of the ball. He locked down top receivers on defense and burned DBs as a wideout.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hunter posted an elite 87.6 coverage grade while also tallying 721 receiving yards and five touchdowns on offense. He was the first player in over two decades to be a legitimate All-American threat at both positions.
Those numbers helped push him to a historic Heisman Trophy win in 2024, the first ever by a two-way player.
Deion’s Legacy and Hunter’s Path to Match It
Deion Sanders was more than a Hall of Famer. He was a movement. He played corner, returned kicks, caught touchdowns, and even suited up in Major League Baseball all while becoming a cultural icon.
Addae didn’t throw out the comparison casually. “These are the unicorns of the world in the NFL,” he said. “Can [Hunter] do it week in and week out?”
That’s the unknown. But Hunter learned under Deion’s wing for three years. No one understands Sanders’ legacy better than the player who once called him “Coach Prime.”
NFL Challenge Ahead
Hunter was drafted No. 2 overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, picked to help both a shaky secondary and a star quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. But Addae raised the question all of Colorado, and now all of Jacksonville is asking:
“Can he take on the toll, not only physically, but mentally?”
Hunter will be tasked with shadowing elite wideouts and covering tight ends. And when called on, he’ll stretch the field as a wide receiver. That’s no small ask, even for someone as gifted as Hunter.
Related: Deion Sanders Not "Fully Recovered" From Unknown Health Issue
This Is Bigger Than One Rookie Year
The NFL will test Travis Hunter in ways college couldn’t. But if he handles the grind and stays healthy, he won’t just remind people of Deion.
He’ll force the league to ask: is this the next Prime?
Related: Colorado Legend Travis Hunter Dealt Unfortunate News Before Training Camp
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
