Travis Hunter is set to be college football‘s next big star. If the news dropped on college football’s National Signing Day is any indication, he already is a star. As the rumors popped up about Hunter’s status on Signing Day, he made it official when he flipped his commitment and signed with Jackson State and head coach Deion Sanders instead of joining Florida State’s 2022 recruiting haul.
As the ink on his signature dries, let’s take a look at who Hunter is and how we got here.
Travis Hunter flips from Florida State to Jackson State
National Signing Day usually has its ebbs and flows, peaks and valleys. Rarely, however, is there a shock that the entire college football realm would feel. Though Sanders warned that he was going to “shock the country” on a Barstool Sports podcast the day prior, the news that Hunter may flip his commitment from FSU to JSU hit hard.
Excuse me, @SWiltfong247 just said live on @247Sports Signing Day show that No. 1 overall recruit Travis Hunter could flip from FSU to Jackson State.
Woah.
— Chris Hummer (@chris_hummer) December 15, 2021
Why would the No. 1 recruit choose the route of de-committing from one of the nation’s most well-known football programs to Jackson State, who plays in the FCS, a complete division lower than Florida State? It’s a great question and one that only led to speculation.
Could it be solely because of Sanders as the head coach? Could it be the fact that Jackson State is ascending rapidly, winning the SWAC and finishing 11-1 this season?
Hunter shed light on his decision during a live National Signing Day press conference.
“I got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to play for one of the all-time greats,” Hunter said. “I’m just ready to work, I’m ready to get to Jackson, Mississippi.”
Travis Hunter is a generational talent
In an era where the term “generational talent” is thrown around too freely, Hunter epitomizes the term. He ranks as the No. 1 recruit this season and arguably the No. 1 cornerback recruit of all time.
It has been rumored that Hunter would classify as the No. 1 at his position whether he was a wide receiver or defensive back.
Hunter stands at 6’1″, 165 pounds from Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia. On the consensus recruiting boards, he’s the No. 1 overall prospect and has the same grade as Trevor Lawrence did coming out of high school.
Hunter committed to Florida State back in March 2020, remaining steadfast in his commitment. That was up until the Early Signing Period of December 15, 2021.
Hunter changes college football forever
With Hunter’s flip to Jackson State, he makes history. He becomes the highest-rated recruit to ever sign a National Letter of Intent with a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Hunter breaks that record set by his new coach’s son, Shedeur Sanders, who signed with Jackson State as a four-star player last recruiting class.
Shedeur, a quarterback for Jackson State, won the Jerry Rice Award as the top FCS player this past season as a freshman. Hunter said he wants to embark on this historic ride with JSU and Sanders.
“I got the chance to make history and play for one of the HBCUs,” Hunter said. “The decision built up over time, I’m excited for this once-in-a-lifetime chance to play for one of the all-time greats.”
Hunter signed his letter of intent and will likely join Jackson State in the spring.
Note: This story is continuing to develop. As news comes about, we’ll update this story in real time.