Deion Sanders reveals which player is future No. 1 draft pick

Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Deion Sanders reveals which Colorado player is future No. 1 NFL Draft pick

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 9/5/23

University of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders knows a thing or two about being a two-way football star.

Sanders excelled as a cornerback and kick returner at Florida State, then starred as a cornerback, returner and wide receiver in the NFL. So, it’s safe to say he knows perhaps better than anyone how to use the talents of five-star cornerback Travis Hunter, who Sanders believes has No. 1 overall pick potential on offense and defense.

“This kid is a first-rounder on both sides of the ball; like the first pick” Sanders said Monday on an episode of “Undisputed.” “He’s the first pick. That’s who he is, and he loves the game. He does not tire of loving the game and he wanting to be in the game and studying the game and all the intricate details of the game.”

Considering the NCAA changed overtime rules after the 7-OT game, we never thought we'd see THIS many snaps again.

Travis Hunter https://t.co/LKGjjmPmvU pic.twitter.com/P6ubY5Wc5h
— 247Sports (@247Sports) September 6, 2023

Hunter, the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2022, played 145 of a possible 169 snaps in 98 degree heat in Saturday’s 45-42 win over No. 17 TCU, per 247Sports. His final stat line read: 11 receptions, 119 yards, three tackles, one interception and one pass defensed.

He played 80 snaps on defense and was the highest-graded Power 5 cornerback in Week 1 by Pro Football Focus, which logged Hunter as allowed just three receptions on nine targets with three forced incompletions.

TRAVIS HUNTER INT. WOWpic.twitter.com/ofwrO0s65P
— On3 (@On3sports) September 2, 2023

Hunter was the No. 1-ranked player and cornerback in the country last year, per the 247Sports composite rankings , and when he’s eligible to be drafted in 2025, NFL teams will likely be eyeing him at that position. However, Sanders will tell anyone willing to listen that Hunter is just as good of a receiver as he is a cornerback and that the 20-year-old Florida native could be the NFL’s version of Shohei Ohtani.

“Travis gets bored if you leave him on offense, and he doesn’t get to play defense,” Sanders added. “If you play him on defense and he doesn’t get to play offense, he’s upset. He’s only done this his whole life. You can’t take that away from him. That’s why I’m proud that I’m his coach because I understand totally, holistically [what it takes to play both sides of the ball].”

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