COLORADO Buffalos star Travis Hunter is facing an issue that is threatening his NFL career.
There are growing concerns that Hunter’s abilities as a two-way player will not continue into the NFL.
There are growing concerns about Travis Hunters’ abilities in the NFL[/caption]
Hunter plays both offense and defense at Colorado[/caption]
Hunter is undoubtedly the most athletic player in college football, playing nearly every snap on both offense and defense.
He excels as both a wide receiver and cornerback, being one of the best in the game at both positions.
As a receiver, Hunter leads the Big 12 with 49 receptions, going for 587 yards with six touchdowns this season.
As a corner, Hunter has completed 17 tackles, caught two interceptions, and forced a fumble.
The 21-year-old superstar is already on pace to surpass his totals from last year’s season, but there is one issue that has plagued him in his time with the Colorado Buffaloes: injury.
Hunter missed multiple weeks of the 2023 season after taking a big hit that led to a lacerated liver. He missed three games that season due to the injury.
There are already concerns about him missing more time this season following an injury this weekend against Kansas State.
Hunter went down in the first half of the game and did not return after suffering an apparent shoulder injury.
Head coach Deion Sanders didn’t share any update about his star player’s injury but hinted that he could take his time returning to the team.
“I saw Omari in a boot, kind of a cast. I thank God we have everything we need on the second floor here in this wonderful building,” Sanders told Buff Stampede.
“But I haven’t gotten an update on those particular young men. Hopefully they can get back at it, but we’re not going to rush them.
“Their safety and their health is much more important than this game.”
Hunter has played a whopping 664 snaps, nearly all of the team’s snaps this season, which highlights his impressive endurance but also draws some concern about his long-term health and ability to play in the NFL.
Currently, Hunter is the favorite to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but continued injury struggles could also derail that dream.
College football top 25 rankings
BELOW are the top 25 rankings of college football’s best programs after Week 5
- Texas (5-0)
- Ohio State (5-0)
- Oregon (5-0)
- Penn State (5-0)
- Georgia (4-1)
- Miami (6-0)
- Alabama (4-1)
- Tennessee (4-1)
- Ole Miss (5-1)
- Clemson (4-1)
- Iowa State (5-0)
- Notre Dame (4-1)
- LSU (4-1)
- BYU (5-0)
- Texas A&M (5-1)
- Utah (4-1)
- Boise State (4-1)
- Kansas State (4-1)
- Indiana (6-0)
- Oklahoma (4-1)
- Missouri (4-1)
- Pittsburgh (5-0)
- Illinois (4-1)
- Michigan (4-2)
- SMU (5-1)
Hunter also has many doubters who don’t think his body will be able to handle playing over 100 NFL snaps per game.
Former quarterback Cam Newton suggested that Hunter can make his two-way status work in the NFL, but he will have to take fewer snaps on either offense or defense.
“Yes, I do think he can play both,” Newton said.
“Now, do I think the volume of plays—can he play 72 plays on defense and another 57 plays on offense in the NFL?
“No. I think a guy with Travis’ skillset focuses on defense.”
The Buffaloes’ next game is on Saturday, October 19 against the Arizona Wildcats. If there is still no injury update for Hunter, it seems unlikely that he will play in the contest.
If he doesn’t play, his NFL Draft stock and Heisman candidacy will continue to slip down.
Hunter suffered a shoulder injury on Saturday against Kansas State[/caption]
