Kstate

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. Already Putting Travis Hunter On Par With Some NFL Greats

Shandel Richardson|
Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) before the game against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) before the game against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

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Kansas State Wildcats

This year's rookie receiver class ranks among the best in NFL history.

It included Marvin Harrison Jr., Keon Coleman and Malik Nabers but ESPN analyst thinks Colorado's Travis Hunter is just as talented. While speaking on First Draft, Kiper said Hunter has similar talent.

"I don't think he takes a backseat to anybody," Kiper said. "I wanna see the year play out, we're still early."

No. 18 Kansas State (4-1) faces Hunter and the Buffaloes, who are coached by Deion Sanders. Hunter has 46 catches for 561 yards and six touchdowns this season. The Buffaloes are 4-1, with the lone loss to Nebraska.

What puts Hunter so high on NFL draft boards is he's also a standout cornerback. He has 13 tackles and two interceptions this season.

"As a corner, he's dynamic," Kiper said. "He's lock down. He just mirrors those receivers as a receiver. He knows what they're doing."

The two-way element has Kiper comparing him to the likes of Champ Bailey and Charles Woodson, who are both in the Hall of Fame. They are arguably two of the best defenders in history. Hunter, who K-State coach Chris Klieman calls the potential No. 1 pick next spring, should provide a unique challenge for the Wildcats because of his versatility.

"Travis Hunter is a baller in every sense of the game," Kiper said. "... He's kind of a special, unique guys like Champ Bailey was and Charles Woodson

Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com

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Shandel Richardson
SHANDEL RICHARDSON

Shandel has covered the NBA since 2010, with previous stops at The Athletic and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. He has covered six NBA Finals, one Super Bowl, the NCAA basketball tournament. He has also been a beat writer for the Miami Hurricanes and contributed on every major beat in South Florida since 2003, including the Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins. He can also be read in the Sportsbook Review for gambling coverage from around the NBA. A native of Bloomington, Illinois, Shandel attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. He's also worked for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Kansas City Star. TWITTER: @ShandelRich EMAIL: shandelrich@gmail.com You can subscribe to our YouTube channel here Follow all of our Miami Heat coverage on Facebook here