Travis Hunter-Deion Sanders relationship: How Colorado coach developed 'father-son bond' with NFL Draft prospect

Morgan Moriarty

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Travis Hunter-Deion Sanders relationship: How Colorado coach developed 'father-son bond' with NFL Draft prospect image

The 2025 NFL Draft is just a few days away, and soon we'll know which future NFL stars will be landing where. One of the biggest names in this year's draft class is Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. 

Although it remains to be seen where he will end up on Thursday night, he could go as high as No. 3 overall to the New York Giants, or get picked second by the Cleveland Browns. That's assuming the Tennessee Titans will select quarterback Cam Ward at No. 1 overall. 

As Hunter's NFL career will soon be realized, let's take a look at him and his head coach, Deion Sanders' relationship. The two share a close bond, and Hunter has even called his coach a father figure in the past.  

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What has Travis Hunter said about Deion?

Hunter has played for Deion since his true freshman season at Jackson State in 2022, where he recruited him from high school. During his 2024 season with Colorado, Hunter spoke about his relationship with his head coach, including how special it is for one that's only a few years old.  

"It's just an unbreakable son and father bond," Hunter said in Nov. 2024. "It's just like we knew each other for years even though we just met three years ago. That was my first time meeting him, when he called me from the hospital bed [recovering from foot surgery], and letting me know he wanted me to come play for him. But I can't explain it enough, I love him so much and I know he loves me so much."

“We have that great bond," Hunter added. "It’s like a father and son bond. I know whenever I need something I can go and ask him, and I’m pretty sure I can get it, 100% of the time.”

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“He’s a Nike guy now... So, I can’t get no Jordans off of him," Hunter continued. "But when I get to his house, I steal whatever I can,” Hunter jokes. "He’s like a father figure to me. I mean, I went to his house yesterday and whatever I wanted, he was able to just let me get it. I took it, if he didn’t want me to take it."

Although the two won't be seeing each other as often now that Hunter's Colorado career has ended, the two are expected to remain close as he moves on to the NFL. Sanders was on-hand in person when Hunter took home the Heisman during his 2024 season. The two shared a special moment after winning the award:

Sanders has also spoken highly of Hunter in the past, as well.

"He don’t drink, he don’t smoke, goes right home after practice, study a ton of film, is one of the best human beings that I know,” Sanders said on 'College GameDay' during the 2024 season. “We have a race every Saturday morning to see who wakes up first to text one another. And he beat me this morning. He’s like, ‘let’s go, coach.’ I’m like, let’s go, alright. So Travis, he loves the darn game of football.

“And that’s what I love about it. We don’t have to worry about what he’s going to do on Saturday because we already know, and I love every bit of it.”

Hunter also shouted out his head coach during his Heisman acceptance speech: 

Sanders' recruitment of Hunter 

Sanders recruited Hunter out of high school, back when the head coach was still at Jackson State in 2022. Hunter was the No. 1 overall recruit in his class, and had been verbally committed to Florida State for most of his recruiting process. 

But on National Signing Day, Hunter shocked the recruiting and college football world when he flipped to Jackson State. It marked the first known instance of a player flipping from a Power Five school to an HBCU. 

“Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) changed my mind,” Hunter said of going to Jackson State in 2022. “He let me know how big of an impact I can have on the people, and that is one of the things I wanted -- to shine the light on our people ( African Americans) and shine the light on HBCUs.”

Who is Hunter's biological dad? 

Hunter's father is Travis Hunter Sr., who lives in Boynton Beach, Fla. According to The Palm Beach Post, in Dec. 2024, Travis Sr. was recently released from Palm Beach County West Detention Center. He was sentenced to 90 days following an arrest in 2023, and was released three weeks early.

"I know you wanted to be here and you can't, but trust me, I got you," Hunter said to his father in his acceptance speech. "I'm bringing the trophy home. I love you."

His father stated in December that he's expected to be with Hunter during the draft.

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Morgan Moriarty

Morgan Moriarty joined The Sporting News as a content producer in the fall of 2024. Her sports journalism career started at the University of Florida in 2012, where she graduated in 2015. She has covered college football and basketball, the NFL and numerous other major sports for outlets like the Tampa Bay Times, Saturday Down South, UPROXX Sports and SB Nation. She also covers college football for Bleacher Report, and is a featured guest on various CNN programs.