Colorado head coach Deion Sanders firmly believes Buffalo star Travis Hunter will have an easier time succeeding at both positions in the NFL than he did in college football. In an appearance on Fox Sports’ Big Noon Kickoff, Sanders explained that Hunter’s versatility makes him invaluable, especially when a coach finds his best receiver is on the bench while he plays cornerback.

Sanders stressed that Hunter is not just a wide receiver or cornerback, but a complete football player, meaning he should always be on the field contributing for his team. “The thing with Travis is, when you put him on the field, when he’s playing cornerback and he’s dominant out there, and you’re sitting up there and you can’t move the ball at the next level, you say, ‘Well, my best receiver is on the sideline, somebody’s got to come over’ … Travis is a football player, and you can’t have a football player on the sideline,” Sanders said.

Sanders also pointed out that the professional game is a better fit for Hunter’s talents in both directions, as it is slower-paced compared to the college level and requires less physical exertion during practices and games. NFL teams meet more frequently and place less emphasis on tempo, giving players like Hunter a chance to recover between plays and increase their effectiveness on both offense and defense. According to Sanders, Hunter will thrive in this structured and less hectic environment.

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Hunter has already demonstrated his exceptional skills at the college level. Despite missing three games last season, he led the FBS in total snaps played during his sophomore year in 2023. His dominance in both directions continued into the 2024 season, as evidenced by his performance against Colorado State, where he played 123 of 138 snaps, caught two touchdowns and recorded one interception. Sanders has no doubt that Hunter’s talents will translate seamlessly to the NFL.