Travis Hunter may have one more trick up his sleeve at the end of an unprecedented season.
The Colorado star, who boasts dual-playing stardom as a receiver and cornerback, was asked on SportsCenter Saturday morning to name the biggest celebrity he's ever congratulated.
“You'll find out tonight,” Hunter said, teasing an 8 p.m. ceremony in New York. “He's actually coming up so you can meet him.”
Let the guessing game begin.
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, considers Hunter like another son, and Hunter already has a famous athlete in his corner.
Hunter's best friend and quarterback at the University of Colorado is Deion's biological son, Shedur Sanders.
Hunter and the younger Sanders are competing for the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, along with Miami quarterback and Heisman finalist Cam Ward.
Which prospect ultimately gets his name called first may depend on whether the team owning the pick is hungry for a franchise quarterback (like the Giants or Raiders) or not (like the Jaguars or Patriots).
There has been speculation that Deion Sanders will follow Colorado's two star players to the NFL as a head coach.
The Jets, Bears and Saints have openings, and more could be available soon, including the Giants and Sanders' beloved Cowboys.
But Hunter said he's in no hurry to see Dion leave Colorado.
“We gained a lot of insight,” Hunter said. “He's not going anywhere.”
Hunter's awards season has already been a historically fruitful one.
He won the Bednarik Award as college football's best defensive player and the Biletnikoff Award as college football's best receiver.
Giants star receiver Malik Nabors, who was playing catch with a young Sanders on a New York street Friday night, was in awe of Hunter's two-way ability, playing both positions since winning the Heisman. I think it should stay. N.F.L.
