CBS Sports analyst names Travis Hunter top college football player in 2024

Buffaloes two-way star is noted as a "generational" talent going into next year

Sep 16, 2023; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Travis Hunter (12) warms up / Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports

Travis Hunter captured the attention of the sports world last year after winning the 2023 Paul Hornung Award in nine games. The Colorado two-way star is one of college football's most electrifying players and is starting to earn a bit more national recognition.

"Saucy-T" was recently named the top player ahead of the 2024 season, according to CBS Sports analyst Blake Brockermeyer. The former NFL offensive lineman currently sees Hunter as the best out there.

"(Hunter) is a generational player and, if he took fewer snaps offensively at wide receiver, would be even more effective for Colorado's defense," Brockermeyer said. "Hunter missed a handful of games after taking a cheap shot in the Colorado State game and still notched 1,044 snaps.

"He had seven games with more than 100 snaps, doing so as a two-way player. That is more than two seasons worth of reps for the typical defender."

Hunter has etched his name in CU history becoming the latest consensus All-American. He hauled in 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the phenom rounded up 31 tackles with three INTs and 5 PDUs. Many have wondered if Hunter could be the first player to play both ways consistently in the NFL. It's part of his football DNA since a young age and he doesn't know another way to view the game.

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"A silky-smooth corner, Hunter is excellent in press coverage," Brockermeyer said. "In a Cover 2 scheme, he has the ability to undercut routes and make plays on the ball. Hunter has excellent hands and will sacrifice his body to make plays. He has fluid hips that allow him to trail his primary receiver, adjust to a ball thrown in his area and get involved for a PBU.

"Hunter shows an excellent ability to understand and match offensive patterns, as well as the make-up speed to catch up and make plays on a ball where he is slightly beaten. How will his two-way timeshare look this fall? And could it possibly continue in the NFL?"

It's likely Hunter will be one of the top defensive players taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's just a matter of where he'll end up going? And if the decision makers for the franchise drafting him will fully understand his talents.