Colorado football: 3 second-year players who’ll become stars in 2023

Dec 17, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Jackson State Tigers wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after catching a touchdown against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the second half during the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Jackson State Tigers wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after catching a touchdown against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the second half during the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Jackson State Tigers wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after catching a touchdown against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the second half during the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Jackson State Tigers wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) reacts after catching a touchdown against the North Carolina Central Eagles during the second half during the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

No, Travis Hunter isn’t exactly a second-year player at Colorado, but he’ll be in his second collegiate season in 2023 after starring for Deion Sanders at Jackson State in 2022.

The former No. 1 prospect in the nation was the top transfer in the portal after Sanders left for Colorado and it was no surprise that he followed his head coach to Boulder. He feels like his best chance to be an All-American and NFL star is to learn from someone who achieved both of those things.

Hunter is going to benefit big-time from being the top cornerback on the roster in the Pac-12 which features plenty of passing. He’s going to be tested plenty.

As a freshman with Jackson State, Hunter totaled 19 tackles with eight pass breakups, two interceptions, and a pick-six. He was a lockdown cornerback for the Tigers and he’s just getting started at the college level.

Colorado needs plenty of help in the secondary, but you can bet Hunter will be leading the way and becoming a star in the Pac-12 in 2023.

Next. Way-too-early Top 25 projections for 2023. dark