Mel Kiper Jr.: Travis Hunter Arguably ‘Best Pure Football Player’ in 2025 NFL Draft

Julia StumbaughSeptember 4, 2024

Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. believes Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter is arguably “the best pure football player” in the 2025 NFL draft.

“Is he a corner? Yeah, he’s a great corner. Is he a receiver? Yeah, he’s great there,” Kiper said Wednesday on ESPN’s Get Up.

Kiper continued: “Travis Hunter, I think, you could make an argument, Greeny, is the best pure football player in this draft. He’s great on offense, he’s great on defense. I think, when he’s in the NFL, early on, maybe play him both ways.

“But on offense, he’s too spectacular, too dynamic, when he changes that scoreboard, not to keep him on the offensive side of the ball for the most part.”

Get Up @GetUpESPN”Travis Hunter, I think you could make an argument Greeny, is the best pure football player in this draft.”

—@MelKiperESPN 📈 pic.twitter.com/SdwSNtzDuL

After thriving at both cornerback and wide receiver through nine games for Colorado last season, Hunter made an immediate impact in the Buffaloes’ 2024 season-opening victory against North Dakota State.

Out of 131 offensive and defensive snaps in the game, Hunter was on the field for 129 of them. As a receiver, he made seven catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-26 win.

TSN @TSN_SportsTRAVIS HUNTER WHAT A CATCH! pic.twitter.com/taMfx6lXT1

ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that representatives from 18 different teams including the New England Patriots were present at the game.

In Bleacher Report’s first 2025 mock draft of the regular season, B/R NFL scouts project Hunter going as the No. 1 due to the “value of a playmaking wide receiver.” That value is only set to rise if Hunter can continue dominating on both sides of the ball in what could be his final college season.