Colorado star Travis Hunter exited from the Buffaloes’ Week 7 loss to Kansas State with an apparent shoulder injury and did not return to action, but coach Deion Sanders announced Tuesday that the two-way standout is expected to play against Arizona. Hunter was one of several players to go down with injuries in the loss to the Wildcats, and his Heisman Trophy candidacy took a hit as a result. His return to the lineup, however, is a boon to the Colorado offense and defense in a matchup that figures to pit him against one of the nation’s top wide receivers in Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan.
Hunter finished the game against Kansas State with season-low marks in every statistical category but was on pace for another stellar performance when he left early in the contest. His season-long numbers remain outstanding, though, as he brings 49 receptions, 587 yards and six touchdowns into Week 8 with 17 tackles, a tackle for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble on his defensive ledger.
“Travis should play for certain on Saturday,” Sanders said in his Tuesday media availability, via Denver’s 9News.
Hunter still leads the Big 12 in receptions despite missing most of Colorado’s last game. Entering the contest, he led the nation with 216 routes run on the year, which is all the more impressive given his every-down defensive role. Hunter remains a one-of-a-kind player in college football with his ability to contribute on both sides of the ball, not to mention that he does so at an elite level.
Assuming he is at full strength for this week’s clash with Arizona, Hunter projects as the primary defender against McMillan, who continues to torch opposing defenses as arguably the most talented pass-catcher in the nation. The one-on-one battle between a premier corner and seemingly unstoppable receiver only adds to the intrigue of a contest that carries Big 12 title race implications.
Hunter’s stardom makes him a clear first-round NFL Draft target, and even with the slight setback against Kansas State, he remains a Heisman Trophy contender.
RELATED (VIP): Drafting the 32 best college football players midway through the 2024 season
“I feel like Trav deserves it,” Shedeur Sanders said on his ‘2Legendary with Shedeur Sanders’ podcast. “He is the best player in college football. Not one of the best. He is the best player in college football. I think a lot of people take him for granted and what he’s able to do. A lot of people tell him what he can’t do, which is wrong, which I don’t believe in, personally.
“He’s going in each year after year, drive after drive, play after play, proving himself every game. At this point, you should already expect that from Trav. He has greatness in him. Each and every game, he’s able to showcase it in different ways.”
