It only took one route. One clean, crisp route in shorts and a helmet to get NFL Twitter buzzing about Travis Hunter’s potential — now, the comparisons are getting louder.
Former Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert sparked the conversation after a clip of Hunter running routes surfaced online, tweeting that the Colorado star “moves so much like” Justin Jefferson. According to Benkert, Hunter shares Jefferson’s fluidity, catch radius, and body control. That’s high praise, considering Jefferson is widely seen as one of the best receivers in the league.
Travis Hunter’s Bag Is Already NFL-Ready
Hunter’s ability to stop on a dime and explode out of his breaks has never been in doubt. But now that he’s showing elite-level nuance in his route running — even before reaching the NFL — it’s raising eyebrows.
He’s been called a unicorn since high school, and his two-way dominance at Colorado only fueled the hype. Still, hearing an NFL quarterback compare him to someone like Jefferson — the 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year — takes that praise to another level.
Like Jettas.
I swear he moves so much like him, has a similar catch radius, is fluid through the point of attack, and will be a problem… https://t.co/azf12e5PME
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert)
And while both players are listed at 6’1″1, there’s one key physical difference: Jefferson carries nearly 10 more pounds than Hunter. That might not sound like much, but in the NFL, that extra size matters when it comes to fighting through contact and staying durable across a full 17-game season.
Most casual fans know Hunter for playing both sides of the ball at Colorado — locking down receivers as a corner and torching defenders as a wideout. Many scouts and analysts think wide receiver might be his long-term position, but he’s not so sure.
Hunter’s route running already looks polished. He’s not just fast — he’s deceptive, patient, and deliberate with every step. It’s rare for a player this young to show that kind of control in his releases and breaks, which is why Benkert’s take caught so much attention.
Any comparison to Jefferson isn’t just fan talk — it’s a statement. Jefferson was elite from Day 1 and continues to set the bar for modern wide receivers. For Hunter to be mentioned in the same breath, even just stylistically, says a lot about his ceiling.
It’s still early, but the tools are obvious. Hunter is already flashing in practice. And if the momentum keeps building, don’t be surprised if he becomes the face of his new franchise before the season hits midstride. He shows all the signs of an NFL superstar in the making.
