The path that Travis Hunter chose to tread in his collegiate career was quite unorthodox. In fact, it was almost revolutionary. For the no.1 recruit in the country to thwart offers from bluechip programs and go to an HBCU was unprecedented. But unprecedented is synonymous with 2-way phenom Hunter at this point.
Deion Sanders’ maneuver to lure Travis Hunter away from his commitment to FSU was two-fold. Not only did he secure himself a superstar, he deprived his alma mater of on as a byproduct. Florida-native Deion sure burned some bridges back home, but it all turned out to be worth it. Along every step of the way- from being given the platform to play both sides, to the Heisman Trophy and now imminent NFL Draft- Travis acknowledges the impact Deion has had. When Deion took the helm at Jackson State, he had the foresight of this skyward trajectory for Hunter. As he stood on the podium during his NFL Combine presser, Travis Hunter kept Deion’s role in him reaching this juncture in perspective.
Travis Hunter is unequivocally the biggest story down in Indy. The freakish nature of his athleticism, mystique around his future position and consensus draft grade form a concoction that lends into this. Naturally, he’s gained more coverage than anyone when facing the media. One reporter asked him about Coach Prime’s support system going forward. Distance usually creates divide. It’s difficult to maintain relationships once you step into a whole another phase of your life. However, Travis and Deion share a more intrinsic bond than most coach-player tandems.
“It’s a lot that [Coach Prime] has done for me outside of football. Which is like being a father-figure to me. So I can go to him for anything” said Travis Hunter. It’s not that Deion needed to hear this. Nor did the masses need reassurance about their future communication. But for Hunter to refer to Sanders as a “father-figure” is particularly resounding. Since this isn’t a declaration. It’s a reiteration.
Travis Hunter on Deion Sanders: pic.twitter.com/B17TBeRXwt
— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) February 27, 2025
In wake of his initial nomination for the Heisman, Travis Hunter guested on The Pivot Podcast. Amidst a plethora of introspective questions, he was asked “How would your experience be without Coach Prime in your life?” His reply was multifold more emotional in that setting than he could conjure in the stress-chamber that is the Combine. “I think I asked him this question, like two months ago. I said ‘What would we be if I didn’t decide to go [to Jackson State]?’ I still don’t know the answer” said Travis. he’s more than just a coach. He’s a father…I don’t know where I would be [without him]. said Travis. He proceeded to expand upon his feelings towards Coach Prime and his reverence for him.
“I try not to figure it out, I try not to think too much [about] it. Because, you know, we got one more game, and it’s gonna be our last together. It gets you kind of emotional, because it changed my life forever. I texted him a couple of games ago, like ‘Coach, you changed my life forever.’ Just being able to see where I’m at now, I don’t know why I would have been if I went to Florida State.” Well, that FSU call sure was a fork in the road. A watershed moment that not only defined his CFB career, but will permeate over to the pros. During the same presser at the Combine, Travis also shed light on his equation with Shedeur Sanders.
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