2 days Ago
BOULDER — Conventional wisdom says Travis Hunter won’t be a full-time two-way player in the NFL. Deion Sanders bucks conventional wisdom. The Colorado coach has been with Hunter throughout the 21-year-old's college career, starting when the top-ranked recruit stunned football by becoming the highest-rated prospect to sign with an FCS program when he joined Sanders at Jackson State.
With Hunter midway through his second season at Colorado, football has witnessed Hunter's ability as both a cornerback and wide receiver. There's still a consensus belief Hunter must pick one to play full-time in the NFL — sprinkling in snaps at the other. Coach Prime believes Hunter could be even more impactful at that next level.
“I just got finished talking to scouts about this — about what he can and cannot do,” Sanders said Tuesday. “Pros go to a huddle, so he (will) get even more time to rest (in the NFL). Most teams you play (in college), they run some type of tempo, or the transition is much greater than pros from snap to snap.
With him getting that amount of rest, he can’t help but be a great pro.” Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) pulls in a touchdown pass in front of Colorado State defensive back Dom Jones (7) in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colo.
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) When Hunter has been healthy, he’s been dominant on both sides. Through three games this season, he’s second in the country in receptions with 30, tied for second in touchdowns with five and seventh in receiving yards with 342. He also has an interception and two pass breakups with over 300 snaps played on defense.
As long as he takes care of his body, Sanders said, playing both won't be a problem in the NFL. “The practices are limited (and) you can’t even hit a receiver downfield no more,” Sanders said. “So, I think he’s a great complement to that game and he can continue to do what he’s doing now.
” Baylor coach Dave Aranda threw a wrench into the Buffaloes’ plans when he didn’t commit to a starting quarterback on Monday. The Bears have used multiple starters this season and both could be in play for Saturday’s game in Boulder. Toledo transfer Dequan Finn started the first two games of the season, but was banged up in a Week 2 loss at Utah.
Sawyer Robertson got the nod in the team’s Week 3 win over Air Force. CU will prepare for both and the different skill sets of each quarterback. “That comes down to calls, third downs and situational calls where one guy’s more likely to scramble out of the pocket and run (and the other) guy is gonna get rid of it quickly out of his hands to try to move the chains,” Sanders said.
“That has to factor in when you’re calling it throughout the game, but as far as the preparation, you gotta prepare like you’re gonna (face) both of them. One guy features a different asset than the other. That’s definitely true.
” Speaking of Baylor quarterbacks, Coach Prime has a good relationship with the program’s most famous former player, Robert Griffin III. Griffin won the 2011 Heisman Trophy at Baylor. He recently visited Boulder to interview Coach Prime for his podcast, "RG3 and The Ones," with his wife, Grete.
Griffin recently was let go by ESPN, where he had been serving as an analyst for both college and NFL football. ESPN college football and NFL analyst and former Baylor Heisman quarterback Robert Griffin III greets members of the Baylor line in an NCAA college football game against Utah, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Waco, Texas.
(AP Photo/Jerry Larson) “I know I’m going to get a text some way, somehow,” Sanders said. “When (Griffin III) was at Baylor, it was poetry in motion. He had the country by the throat and he was applying pressure.
I love what he stands for as an athlete, as a father, as a man. I’ve got nothing but love for RGIII, but I’m pretty sure he’s gonna be conflicted inside because he wants us to do our thing. But that’s his alma mater.
I’m pretty sure he’s gonna be wearing green with probably a gold necklace on.” The Buffs were without a pair of key starters last week at Colorado State as both running back Dallan Hayden and defensive tackle Chidozie Nwankwo missed the game with injuries. Sanders said there’s a chance both return this week, but he wants to see them practice for at least one day before putting them on the field on Saturday.
Colorado running back Dallan Hayden runs against North Dakota State during an NCAA college football game Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in Boulder, Colorado. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey) “If he’s able to play, he’s gonna play,” Sanders said of Hayden, specifically.
Coach Prime also said defensive tackle Taurean Carter, an Arkansas transfer in his first year with the program, recently had surgery for an undisclosed injury and is out indefinitely..
