Ranking Travis Hunter’s top plays: Five times Colorado, ex-Jackson State star wowed college football world

Colorado two-way superstar Travis Hunter can make jaw-dropping plays on any given Saturday. In the Buffaloes’ latest outing against Baylor, Hunter caught seven passes for 130 yards and a touchdown … and then forced a game-sealing fumble in overtime in a 38-31 comeback win to open Big 12 play.

Per PFF, Hunter played 82 snaps on offense and 63 on defense. He has logged at least 120 snaps in each of Colorado’s four games this season and numbers-wise is off to a career-best start on offense. (He already has as many receiving touchdowns this season — five — as all last year.) His play has NFL decision-makers questioning whether he will work better as a wide receiver or a cornerback.

Hunter’s unique skillset as a two-way player has produced numerous highlight-worthy plays. Here are the top five in his first 20 games in college.

1. Red zone interception vs. TCU (2023)Playing in his first game at Colorado, Hunter made a statement and sparked the Colorado hype train in a 45-42 victory over TCU. Hunter logged 152 snaps against the Horned Frogs in 2023, including the most impressive play of the game (and his career thus far): 

With TCU appearing to have a wide-open receiver in the end zone, Hunter jumped the route and kept the Horned Frogs scoreless on the drive. With Colorado scoring a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes, that takeaway that took points off the board for TCU proved to be the turning point.

2. Game-ending forced fumble vs. Baylor (2024)You could argue that the most impressive play of Hunter’s career at Colorado came against Baylor. After Sanders connected with wide receiver LaJohntay Wester for a 43-yard touchdown on the run as regulation expired, bringing an end to a chaotic fourth quarter. After Colorado RB Micah Welch scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the second overtime period, Hunter forced a turnover to complete the comeback.

It appeared at first glance that Baylor running back Dominic Richardson crossed the plane but video review clearly showed that he lost control of the football — because of Hunter’s tackle — short of the goal line.

3. Crazy TD catch vs. North Dakota State (2024)Hunter has had a handful of “how did he catch that” moments, but none were as impressive as this touchdown grab in last month’s season-opener against North Dakota State:

Hunter’s three-touchdown performance against NDSU set the tone for his strong start to the 2024 campaign. Hunter finished with seven catches for a season-best 132 yards in the 31-26 win over the Bison. Hunter’s touchdown grab extended the Buffaloes lead and helped them avoid a disastrous loss.

4. TD sends Celebration Bowl to OT (2022) Before Hunter starred at Colorado, he played at FCS Jackson State under Deion Sanders. Hunter’s first season was derailed by injury and he only appeared in seven games, but his most notable performance came in Jackson State’s final game — which also marked the end of the Sanders era at the school. Hunter caught a touchdown pass as time expired to send the game to overtime:

Jackson State lost the Celebration Bowl to North Carolina Central 41-34 in overtime, but Hunter finished his true freshman season strong by catching a season-high four passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns.

5. Unreal interception vs. UCLA (2023)Hunter recorded two interceptions for the first time in his college career against UCLA in 2023, and the second was the most impressive. Hunter dropped back into coverage and picked off UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers on a pass thrown to the sideline to keep the game close.

Colorado lost that game to UCLA 28-16, but that defensive performance — and the interception — was one of the top highlights of his young playing career.