Collins Hill two-way player Travis Hunter, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the country, pulled a signing-day stunner and flipped his commitment to Jackson State on Wednesday.
The cornerback/wide receiver is the first five-star prospect to sign with an FCS team by selecting Jackson State over Florida State, where he previously committed in March.
Hunter helped Collins Hill to the Class 7A state championship last week. The Eagles defeated Milton 24-8 to finish 15-0 for the title. Ranked No. 3 nationally in multiple polls, Collins Hill became the first team in the highest classification to win every game by 15 or more points since Valdosta in 1971. As a wide receiver, Hunter had over 3,807 yards receiving and 46 touchdown catches in his career. In the state title game, a 24-8 win over Milton, he had a forced fumble as a defensive back and a game-high 153 yards on 10 catches, including a 6-yard touchdown reception.
Hunter, who is ranked No. 1 in the 247Sports Composite ranking, will play for coach Deion Sanders at Jackson State, which will play in the Celebration Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday.
Travis Hunter is going to be a star pic.twitter.com/gFUrnYnCmY
— Barstool College Football Show (@BarstoolCFB) December 15, 2021
In a Twitter post following his announcement, Hunter wrote:
“Florida State has always been a beacon for me. I grew up down there, that’s where my roots are, and I never doubted that I would play for the Seminoles. It’s a dream that is hard to let go of, but sometimes we are called to step into a bigger future than the one we imagined for ourselves. For me, that future is at Jackson State University.”
It’s OFFICIAL #jsu #gotigers 🐅 @jacksonstatefb pic.twitter.com/UTyzMPgVH6
— Travis Hunter (@TravisHunterJr) December 15, 2021
Hunter, 6-foot-1, 165, also made it clear the importance for him to sign with an Historically Black College and University despite his early desire to play for Florida State. Georgia also recruited Hunter.
“Jerry Rice, Doug Williams and, of course, JSU’s own Walter Payton – Historically Black Colleges and Universities have a rich history in football,” Hunter wrote on social media. “I want to be part of that history, and more, I want to be part of that future. I am making this decision so that I can light the way for others to follow, make it a little easier for the next player to recognize that HBCUs may be everything you want and more: an exciting college experience, a vital community, and a life-changing place to play football.”
Reaction on social media ranged from shock to praise, with many describing Hunter’s decision as a historic moment in recruiting and for HBCUs.
Shoutout to @DeionSanders & @JacksonStateU for signing the nations #1 overall recruit, @TravisHunterJr. This signing has the potential to drastically change the college football recruiting landscape for all HBCUs. Bring that talent back homeee 🏈 #travishunter #hbcupride pic.twitter.com/p1YX8Ib1Yu
— BET (@BET) December 15, 2021
Travis Hunter flipping and going to Jackson State may be the biggest thing in recruiting over the last 20 years. Wow absolutely impressive by Coach Prime!
— Are You Serious #AYS (@AYSSPORTS) December 15, 2021
Deion Sanders flipping Travis Hunter, the nation's No. 1 recruit (and a CB no less) from his alma mater, FSU to join him at an HBCU, Jackson State would unquestionably become the biggest signing day stunner in my 20-plus years of covering this stuff.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 15, 2021
Deion Sanders is CHANGING THE GAME forever.. the number 1 overall recruit Travis Hunter has committed to Jackson State#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/KY4kMIq3ck
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 15, 2021
As a Black guy, seeing a top recruit who looks like me in Travis Hunter flip from a PWI to an HBCU with a Black man at the helm is sooooo dope. I really hope it inspires more top talent to follow in his steps.
— Will (@WilliamRichJr) December 15, 2021
There's a strong feeling around college football that a significant NIL deal proved the driver to push top recruit Travis Hunter to Jackson State over FSU. This could be remembered as a seminal moment in recruiting, the first seismic commitment shift we've seen from NIL.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 15, 2021
I cannot underscore this enough. The nation's No. 1 recruit, Travis Hunter, chose an HBCU and FCS program in 2021.
— RJ Young (@RJ_Young) December 15, 2021
Coach Prime and JSU did that.
If No. 1 overall recruit Travis Hunter going to Jackson St. starts a trend of top athletes going back to HBCUs like they did in the 80s, I’m ALL THE WAY here for it!
— On Westside 8-24 Mafia 🟣🟡🐍 (@Los_Waves) December 15, 2021
Travis Hunter picks Jackson St. one of the craziest signing days I can remember. pic.twitter.com/iLMPninus0
— SportsTalkSEC (@Sportstalk_SEC) December 15, 2021
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