Deion Sanders certainly knows his place in football history, as arguably the greatest cornerback to play the game.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer and Colorado head coach recognizes elite talent, though, and he sees enormous potential in Buffaloes’ sophomore cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter.
“Travis is better than I was at the age and stage (he is now),” Sanders said Monday after CU completed its 12th practice of spring drills. “He may be not as fast, but intangibilities and who he is, he’s better. He’s a better version at this age and stage. He really is – by far.”
That’s saying a lot. When Sanders was a sophomore at Florida State in 1986, he was a third-team All-American. He was a first-team All-American the next two years.
“That’s kind of surprising coming from a Hall of Famer,” Hunter said of Sanders’ comment. “But hey, he said I’m better than him, so I’m gonna keep striving to be my better self and just continue to try to get that gold jacket. That’s pretty much what I want to get.”
A transfer from Jackson State, Hunter has a long way to go to get his gold Hall of Fame jacket, but there’s no question his potential is off the charts.
A year ago, he was the No. 1 rated prospect in the entire country coming out of high school and also the No. 1 cornerback. Despite an injury-filled freshman year at JSU, Hunter was still dominant, with 20 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups in eight games.
This spring, Hunter has focused almost exclusively on receiver and he’s been one of the best Buffs’ best offensive weapons.
“Travis is different, man,” Sanders said. “Travis is a different kid, has a different thought process, different want, different desire, different need. Travis is him. The young folks got a saying now, ‘I’m him.’ He’s really him.
“I’ve seen him with dysfunction in his life still ball out. I’ve seen him with peace and joy and ball out. I mean, Travis is truly consistent on both sides of the ball.”
Before spring practices began, Sanders said Hunter could “fall out of bed and cover.” Last week, he essentially proved it.
At a recent practice, Sanders wasn’t happy with the cornerbacks, so he told Hunter to jump in at corner and show everyone how it was done. In his one play, Hunter broke up a pass with almost flawless technique, drawing instant praise from Sanders.
“For a kid to not have taken one rep this spring at the cornerback position and go out there and display exactly what we want (on that play), that’s who you want,” Sanders said Monday. “We’re just looking for four of those, but trust me there ain’t too many Travis Hunters in America.”
Sanders added that he would probably tell Hunter he needs to play some corner in Saturday’s spring game. No big deal to Hunter, who said flipping the switch from receiver to corner is easy.
“I’ve been playing football my whole life, that’s all,” he said. “Just go out there and play.
“I like to compete. I don’t like nobody catching the ball on me, getting open, anything. If I mess up, I’m getting mad at myself because I don’t want nobody to think they got a one-up on me.”
Hunter said he watches a lot of NFL players to try to learn and apply what they do to his own game, but added, “I don’t want to be like nobody. I want to be my own self.”
So far, he has been, which is why he was one of the first Buffs to earn his number this spring – not that Hunter celebrated that honor.
“I’m not excited to earn the number,” he said. “I’m pretty much trying to go out there and dominate. The number don’t make me; I make the number, so I’m just going out there dominating the whole time.”
That’s a big reason why Sanders loves having Hunter on his side.
“Love him as a human being, as a young man, as a son to his mother,” Sanders said. “He’s like a son to me. I love him that much.”
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
Source: Read Full Article