Kirk Herbstreit names his top player in college football

Colorado Buffaloes star Travis Hunter Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Kirk Herbstreit has already seen enough to name top player in college football

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Aug 30, 2024 2:54 PM ET

The bar was set pretty high entering the 2024 season for Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.

And after his performance in Thursday’s 31-26 season-opening win over North Dakota State, Hunter is proving to be the gold standard of college football for many media pundits and NFL draft analysts, including ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, who raved about what he saw from Hunter against the Bison.

“Travis Hunter is as good as advertised,” Herbstreit posted on social media. “Talent-instincts-and RIDICULOUS stamina. And now in his 3rd year has experience to go along with it. The guy is the best player in CFB! So much fun to watch.”

Travis Hunter is as good as advertised. Talent-Instincts-and RIDICULOUS stamina. And now in his 3rd year has experience to go along with it. The guy is the best player is CFB!
So much fun to watch! https://t.co/LPCm0jeIfh
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) August 30, 2024

Herbstreit wasn’t the only one singing Hunter’s praises, either.

Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill, former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James have all jumped on the Hunter bandwagon.

Whoever got that first pick , idc if you need a Lineman or QB Travis Hunter is one of one
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) August 30, 2024

Travis Hunter keeps showing that he can and he SHOULD play both WR and CB in the NFL FULL TIME.

Man had 7 catches for 132 yards and 3 TDS at WR AND played 43 snaps on defense making tackles and locking down his side of the field.

He is a UNICORN. pic.twitter.com/D580YECfS8
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 30, 2024

MAN TRAVIS HUNTER IS RIDICULOUS!!!!! WOW
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 30, 2024

Projected to be a top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter showed against NDSU he can be just as good at receiver as he is at cornerback.

The standout junior caught seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns on Thursday while adding three tackles and surrendering just 18 yards on three receptions in coverage. Hunter did not allow a catch longer than seven yards in the win, per Pro Football Focus.

Following Hunter's spectacular performance, his Heisman odds got one heck of a boost, jumping to a tie for the eighth-best odds (+1500) on BetMGM with Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava, according to USA Today.

Per DraftKings, Hunter is the most-bet-on player to win the Heisman Trophy over the last 24 hours, getting 33% of the handle and 34% of the sportsbook’s total bets.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

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