Former Jackson State stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders are locks to be drafted within the first spherical of the NFL Draft in April. Their school legacies from HBCU soccer to the Energy 5 will dwell on in school soccer historical past, and the Colorado Buffaloes will commemorate their affect by formally retiring jersey numbers 2 and 12. The record-setting quarterback and dual-threat Heisman Trophy winner may have their jerseys retired at Colorado’s spring sport on Saturday.
Travis Hunter: A Historic Faculty Profession
Travis Hunter started his school soccer journey at Jackson State underneath head coach Deion Sanders, making historical past because the highest-ranked recruit to decide to an HBCU. In his freshman season (2022), Hunter displayed his uncommon two-way expertise, contributing at each cornerback and vast receiver. Regardless of accidents limiting his taking part in time, he recorded two interceptions, broke up a number of passes, and added two receiving touchdowns. His affect prolonged past the sector, serving to shine a nationwide highlight on HBCU soccer. Hunter’s electrical play, versatility, and aggressive spirit laid the muse for his future stardom earlier than following Sanders to Colorado in 2023.
In 2024, he grew to become the consensus nationwide participant of the 12 months, successful the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award, and Participant of the 12 months honors from each the Related Press and Sporting Information. He additionally repeated because the Paul Hornung Award winner, recognizing him because the nation’s most versatile participant.
Hunter dominated on either side of the ball. He captured the Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy because the nation’s prime defensive participant, whereas additionally successful the Biletnikoff Award, recognizing him as the highest receiver in school soccer—no matter place.
He’s one in every of solely three gamers in school soccer historical past to win eight main awards in a single season. Hunter was a unanimous first-team All-American, incomes seven first-team honors (eight complete) from the 5 publications utilized by the NCAA to find out consensus standing. He grew to become the primary participant ever to obtain two first-team honors from the Walter Camp All-America crew and is the one recognized participant to earn two first-team and three complete AP All-American nods.
Along with his on-field accolades, Hunter excelled academically. He was named a first-team Educational All-American by Faculty Sports activities Communicators and have become simply the second CU participant ever to be named Educational All-American of the 12 months throughout all Division I soccer.
Throughout his junior season, Hunter recorded 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, setting a CU report for receiving touchdowns and ending second in receptions and third in receiving yards. He had eight 100-yard receiving video games—one other college report—and led the crew in scoring with 96 factors (16 complete touchdowns, together with one speeding).
Defensively, he tallied 36 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 11 cross breakups whereas taking part in an FBS-leading 1,483 complete snaps—accounting for 86.8% of CU’s offensive and 82.9% of defensive snaps. Based on Professional Soccer Focus, Hunter graded out at 89.7 as a receiver (highest amongst Energy 4 gamers with 500+ snaps) and above 90 in protection, one in every of solely two Energy 4 defenders to take action.
Over two seasons at CU, Hunter compiled 153 catches for 1,989 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns, plus a speeding rating. Defensively, he added 67 tackles, seven interceptions, 16 cross breakups, and a compelled fumble—all whereas taking part in 2,625 snaps, regardless of lacking almost 5 video games resulting from damage. Travis Hunter led the FBS in complete snaps in each 2023 and 2024.
Shedeur Sanders: Report-Breaking Quarterback
Shedeur Sanders made a direct affect at Jackson State, changing into the primary freshman in program historical past to start out at quarterback. Beneath the steerage of his father, head coach Deion Sanders, Shedeur led JSU to back-to-back SWAC championships in 2021 and 2022. He handed for over 6,900 yards and 70 touchdowns throughout two seasons, incomes SWAC Freshman of the 12 months and Offensive Participant of the 12 months honors. Identified for his accuracy, poise, and management, Sanders helped elevate Jackson State to nationwide prominence within the FCS. His success performed a key function within the resurgence of HBCU soccer earlier than transferring to Colorado.
Sanders capped off his time at Colorado with a historic 2024 marketing campaign, incomes the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award because the nation’s prime quarterback. He was named a first-team All-American by a number of shops and earned second-team honors from the AP. Sanders was the unanimous Massive 12 Offensive Participant of the 12 months and chosen first-team All-Massive 12 by each main publication.
In 2024, he accomplished 353 of 477 passes (74.0%) for 4,134 yards, 37 touchdowns, and simply 10 interceptions. He posted an NFL QB ranking of 117.0 and a university passer ranking of 165.9.
Throughout his two years at CU, Sanders threw for 7,364 yards and 64 touchdowns with a completion charge of 71.8%. Over his full collegiate profession, he accomplished 1,267 of 1,808 passes (70.1%) for 14,353 yards and 134 touchdowns—changing into one in every of simply two FBS quarterbacks to surpass 14,000 passing yards whereas finishing 70% of his passes. He additionally set an NCAA Division I report by throwing a landing in 49 consecutive video games.
Regardless of solely taking part in two seasons in Boulder, Sanders owns over 100 CU college data. These embody marks for profession passing touchdowns, passer ranking, and completion share, together with the highest two seasons in CU historical past for completion share and quarterback ranking. He additionally holds two of the highest three CU seasons in passing yards, passing touchdowns, 300-yard video games, and video games with three or extra landing passes.
