By Mark Pszonak
It was slowly building after the conclusion of the 2024 college football season, but as spring practices began and have continued, it quickly spiraled out of control. People need to stop using the term “Travis Hunter 2.0” or “the next Travis Hunter”.
I understand why these terms are being used. Travis Hunter is obviously a huge name who won the Heisman Trophy while playing both ways at an exhaustive and amazing rate. But claiming that every athletic wide receiver on a college football roster who might play a few snaps at cornerback (or vice versa) during two spring practices is “Travis Hunter 2.0” has already gotten old. Just a quick google search finds the following college players and even recruits being touted as the next Hunter:
Ty Benefield – Boise State
Koi Perich – Minnesota
Boo Carter – Tennessee
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Demetres Samuel Jr. – Syracuse
Jaylen Mbakwe – Alabama
Salesi Moa – 2026 recruit
Paris Melvin Jr. – 2026 recruit
CJ Sadler – 2026 recruit
Jermaine Bishop – 2026 recruit
This is just a sample size of what seems to be an ever-growing list. This isn’t meant to disparage any of the players on the above list, but tagging every multi-talented player “Travis Hunter 2.0” isn’t fair to the player and is borderline disrespectful to Hunter. And this is only true because Hunter’s accomplishments during the 2024 season were amazing. Amazing to the level that a similar performance should not be expected any time soon, never mind the 2025 season.
I also admit that I was guilty of making comparisons. But then I realized that it didn’t actually make sense. Everyone should just be happy that they were able to witness Hunter’s performance in 2024 and not force feed the next one on us, because it isn’t going to happen anytime soon.
