During the EA Sports College Football 25 cover shoot in March, Colorado’s versatile star Travis Hunter found himself standing midfield at the Cotton Bowl alongside fellow cover athletes Quinn Ewers and Donovan Edwards.
The photographer asked Hunter to toss a football, sprint downfield, and catch a pass from Ewers, the Texas quarterback. After warming up by throwing spirals with both arms to Michigan running back Edwards, Hunter was ready.
“Watch this,” he told the camera confidently, launching the ball high into the Dallas sky before racing 50 yards toward the end zone to catch Ewers’ pass. The sequence was meant to promote the video game but also highlighted that Hunter is no ordinary player.
Who else would be asked to both throw and catch the ball? If he could, Hunter—who starts at both cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado—would likely defend the pass as well.
“The plays he makes on the field aren’t normal,” Ewers said.
Travis Hunter challenges the boundaries of what an elite college player can achieve. Six months before the EA Sports cover shoot, he showcased his extraordinary skills just 40 miles from the Cotton Bowl, at TCU in Fort Worth, during Colorado’s debut under coach Deion Sanders, the Pro Football Hall of Famer. In the scorching heat, Hunter played an incredible 146 snaps, notching an interception and 11 receptions as Colorado upset the reigning national runner-up.
Hunter surpassed 100 snaps in seven different games, peaking at 150 against Stanford. According to ESPN Stats & Information, he logged a total of 1,007 plays for the season — 572 on defense, 412 on offense, and 23 on special teams. Despite missing three games and nearly an entire half against Colorado State due to a lacerated liver, Hunter played the most snaps in the FBS, averaging 111.9 per game — 19 more than any other player.
Hunter earned the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player and received All-America or all-conference honors as both a cornerback and an all-purpose player. His season stats include three interceptions, eight pass deflections, and 30 tackles (two for loss), along with 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns — significant improvements from his previous season at Jackson State (18 receptions, 188 yards).
The claim that Hunter is the best player in the nation, promoted by Sanders and others, sparks a variety of opinions. Still, there’s no one quite like him in college football today or even in recent memory. Occasionally, a great offensive player will dabble in defense, or vice versa, but the level of time and productivity Hunter maintains on both sides is virtually unheard of.
“People often tell me I can’t be real, and they find what I do amazing,” Hunter told ESPN.
Hunter has been playing this way since he first picked up a football at age 4. His do-it-all mentality has remained constant as he’s risen through the ranks, and he plans to continue playing both ways in the NFL next season. His success stems from more than just natural talent — discipline, nutrition, time management, and recovery have all contributed to making Hunter a real-life video game phenomenon.
1. What makes Travis Hunter stand out as a college football player?
Travis Hunter is exceptional because of his ability to excel on both offense and defense. As a two-way player for the Colorado Buffaloes, he plays as both a cornerback and a wide receiver. His versatility and stamina allow him to participate in an unusually high number of plays each game, setting him apart from other players in college football.
2. How many plays did Travis Hunter participate in during the 2023 season?
During the 2023 season, Travis Hunter played a total of 1,007 snaps, including 572 on defense, 412 on offense, and 23 on special teams. Despite missing time due to injury, he still averaged 111.9 plays per game, the most in the FBS, showcasing his endurance and commitment.
3. What awards and recognition has Travis Hunter received for his performance?
Travis Hunter won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation’s most versatile player for his outstanding performance on both sides of the ball. He also earned All-America or all-league honors as both a cornerback and an all-purpose player, reflecting his unique impact in college football.