With Quarterback Quinn Ewers deciding to enroll at Ohio State in 2021, a new number one player had to be named. 247sports decided to name Georgia Cornerback Travis Hunter as the best recruit in 2022. While Hunter is number one on 247sports rankings, he’s number two behind Defensive Lineman Walter Nolan on the 247sports composite.
Hunter, a Florida State commit, chose the Seminoles over other schools like Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Florida Clemson, and in-state Georgia. Hunter has been committed there since March of 2020. Florida State has produced some great secondary players over the years, including Deion Sanders, Jalen Ramsey, Derwin James, and now Asante Samuel Jr.
Hunter will have to live to both the pressure of being a top-rated recruit and the legacy of those past players. However, there’s a reason 247sports named him the top player in 2022. Hunter was named the MaxPreps Junior Football player of the year for the 2020 season.
Hunter is listed at 6’1”, 165 pounds, so he has the height that teams like. However, he does have to put on some weight before he gets on a college field. Hunter is an athlete, as he also plays wide receiver at Collins Hill.
As a corner, Hunter has all the potential to be a shutdown player for Florida State. He has great ball skills that allow him to track a pass in the air and either knock it down or intercept it. Many times in his junior highlights, it looked like he was the receiver when on defense. In Hunter’s sophomore highlights, the first play showed him jumping the route and preventing a touchdown.
Hunter possesses great speed that allows him to keep track of whoever he is covering. On one play in his junior season, he went to cover the receiver in the end zone and came away with the interception. When Hunter gets a pick, he’s looking to run it back the other way. A few times in both of his highlights, he intercepted the ball in the end zone and ran it back at least 30 yards.
Offensively Hunter is a playmaker that is dangerous with the ball in his hands. Many times in his highlights he makes a big play whether it is from a deep pass or a screen. Hunter can go up and get a 50-50 ball that also helps him on defense. His speed allows him to outrun every defender that tried to chase him down.
Hunter does need to work on his technique when he is lined up at corner. Many times he was staring in the backfield then keeping an eye on his guy. He also needs to watch how much space he is giving receivers, as that could lead to problems.
Whether it is on offense or defense, Travis Hunter should be a great player for Florida State. The impact he could have in the secondary could put him in the conversation with some of the school’s all-time greats.
