NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has never been shy about bold takes, but his latest projection is turning heads across the league. In a recent segment, Kiper said he believes Colorado Buffaloes stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter will end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
That kind of prediction is rare from any analyst — especially pre-draft — but it speaks volumes about how highly Kiper views their long-term potential. Both players have been inside his top 10 prospect rankings since last August, and his latest comments suggest he sees them as true franchise-altering talents.
Mel Kiper Jr. Sees Hall-of-Fame Potential in Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter
Kiper has praised Sanders and Hunter throughout the 2024 college football season, but his Hall of Fame prediction takes it to another level. While most analysts focus on traditional traits—arm strength, route running, 40 times — Kiper goes further, highlighting how each player could reshape an NFL franchise.
Hunter is one of the most unique draft prospects in years because he is a legitimate two-way player who stars as both a wide receiver and a cornerback. Kiper said that kind of versatility is what separates him from every other player in the draft, and he believes he should be the No. 2 overall pick by the Cleveland Browns.
“He’ll bring juice to that Cleveland Browns’ offense. He’ll add that wow factor. He’ll excite that fan base in Cleveland with his ability on the offensive side of the ball,” Kiper said of Hunter. “They need weapons, they need difference-makers, they need fear-factor type of players on offense, and he can play in that secondary as well with the Cleveland Browns.
“When you look at Travis Hunter, he’s number one on my board since August — it’s never changed. I’ve been big on Hunter, I’ve been big on Shedeur Sanders. I’ll go down fighting with both of these Colorado Buffaloes. I think both of these kids will be Hall-of-Famers!”
According to Kiper, NFL teams aren’t worried about locking Hunter into one position right away. Instead, the plan is to get him in the building and determine how to use him best. Scouts are reportedly more focused on maximizing his all-around talent than limiting it or fitting him into a certain spot.
Kiper is just as confident in quarterback Sanders. It’s rare to see Hall of Fame predictions thrown around about draft prospects — let alone two from the same college team — but this shows just how confident Kiper is when projecting Hunter and Sanders.
Kiper’s faith in Sanders and Hunter shows how highly they’re regarded by top talent evaluators. After forming a dominant one-two punch in college, both have the potential to become franchise-changing players in the pros.