Travis Hunter’s Heisman marketing campaign — and Colorado’s dream of turning into a shock playoff contender — took successful Saturday night time, because the Buffaloes’ two-way famous person left a back-and-forth 31-28 loss early with an obvious proper shoulder harm. Hunter returned to the Colorado sideline after halftime, nonetheless in uniform however and not using a helmet, and didn’t see any motion within the second half.
How’d Hunter play earlier than exiting? An up to date have a look at his 2024 manufacturing and 2025 NFL Draft hopes:
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Three catches for 26 yards; one deal with
Colorado ran 14 performs within the first quarter, however Hunter didn’t see his first goal from QB Shedeur Sanders till the early levels of the second quarter. Hunter hauled in all three of his targets, for features of 6, 6 and 14 yards, a part of a stretch of 16 completions by Sanders. Nevertheless, Kansas State additionally sacked Sanders thrice throughout that run, and — extra related to our focus right here — Hunter exited the sport following his third reception.
On that play, as Hunter hauled in a crossing route, he took successful to his proper shoulder from Kansas State security Daniel Cobbs. Shortly after, Hunter took himself out of the sport and finally headed to the Colorado locker room with a coach. He twice tried to return to the sport, solely to exit for good with about 5 minutes remaining within the first half. At that time, he reportedly headed towards the “medical middle portion” of Colorado’s stadium.
Hunter had averaged 9.2 receptions for 112.2 yards by 5 video games, so Saturday night time’s injury-impacted output was by far his lowest of the season.
Travis Hunter left the sport after struggling an obvious harm.
He has but to return. pic.twitter.com/tNEF0fXOH1
— ESPN (@espn) October 13, 2024
Snap depend
23 snaps on offense; 21 snaps on protection
Earlier than struggling the shoulder harm, Hunter was on observe for his traditional workload — he was on the sector for 44 of Colorado’s first 45 mixed offensive and defensive snaps; he’d been averaging round 120 whole snaps per recreation heading into the weekend.
The fear now’s that Hunter’s shoulder harm will linger. Final season, Hunter missed three video games (and round a month of the season, in whole) after struggling a lacerated liver on a late hit by Colorado State’s Henry Blackburn.
Might an prolonged absence — and one other Colorado loss or two — nudge Hunter towards sitting out the rest of the season to protect his well being forward of the 2025 NFL Draft?
Signature second
This play actually received’t lead Hunter’s spotlight reel, however NFL personnel determine to like it.
On the Buffaloes’ first landing, a 25-yard cross from Sanders to LaJohnty Wester, Hunter hustled towards Wester after the catch and signaled his teammate to chop again towards the center of the sector. Hunter then disrupted the trail of Wester’s defender and threw a block after Wester reduce once more, serving to usher his teammate into the top zone.
Bobbin’ and weavin’ from Wester 💨
The @CUBuffsFootball receiver navigates site visitors to place the house group on the board first.#Big12FB | 📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/h76N7MJpqy
— Huge 12 Convention (@Big12Conference) October 13, 2024
Ideas on Hunter’s draft inventory
Hunter is universally seen as one of many high prospects within the 2025 NFL Draft by scouts. Whether or not he performs offense, protection or each on the subsequent degree, Hunter shall be a really early decide — perhaps the primary non-quarterback drafted — due to his athletic traits and instinctive ball abilities, which lead on to impression performs. He was No. 3 on my preseason high 50, and there’s a higher probability of him being greater than decrease within the midseason replace.
The variety of snaps he performs per recreation, although, has left scouts crossing their fingers that the extra publicity received’t result in accidents. That challenge caught up with Hunter final season, and it hit once more Saturday night time. He’s a whisker over 6 ft tall however weighs solely 180 kilos with a really lean-muscled body, and he isn’t shy about taking part in bodily and throwing his physique round. His recreation and heavy workload invite put on and tear. — Dane Brugler
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For me, the one factor left for Hunter to show in school is how vast a margin he’s going to place between himself and the subsequent man who tries to play each methods like this. It’s been downright easy in methods I’m unsure everybody actually understands.
When Charles Woodson did this throughout his Heisman run in 1997, for instance, he was a full-time defender who obtained periodic packages on offense. His route operating was erratic, and it took weeks earlier than he made a serious impression in a recreation on offense. Woodson had simply 11 catches that 12 months. And nonetheless, he grew to become the primary (and solely) primarily defensive participant to win the trophy. Hunter, who’s additionally a full-time defender, now has 49 receptions on the 12 months.
Hunter is really in uncharted waters, as you possibly can discuss your self in circles making an attempt to resolve whether or not he ought to stick at WR or CB within the NFL. You may make a case for him being an instant-impact participant on both facet. Apart from Hunter’s well being, that’s what I’ll be looking ahead to the remainder of the way in which: Will we now have a transparent reply as to what his greatest NFL place shall be or will a group must let him are available and see what occurs?
I nonetheless lean towards Hunter in the end taking part in (primarily) defensive again. His ball abilities, instincts, restoration pace, size, body and endurance would put him within the higher echelon on the place instantly. However each time he goes off offensively, I almost change my thoughts. — Nick Baumgardner
(Prime photograph: Christopher Hanewinckel / Imagn Photos)
