Take a trip down memory lane to Signing Day of 2021, and you will remember a day when Florida State lost its highest-ranked commitment ever in a head-scratching, last-minute flip by now-Colorado star Travis Hunter to Jackson State. Currently, Hunter is a two-way phenom and Heisman hopeful under Colorado head coach Deion Sanders and is presumably headed to the 2025 NFL Draft.

Hunter recently went on The Pivot Podcast to discuss his college career and reflect on his decision to stick with Sanders, who is widely considered one of the best defensive backs to play the game. Sanders, now “Coach Prime.” convinced the former 5-star recruit to play for him at an HBCU and make waves throughout the college football world. The two left Jackson State almost as soon as they got there and Hunter has now become a household name.

READ MORE: Starting Linebacker Exiting NCAA Transfer Portal To Return To Florida State

“I’d say Coach Prime, he let me know he wanted me. When we had that conversation on whether I was gonna go or stay with Florida State, he let me know he wanted me,” Hunter said. “He’s like, ‘It’s going to be a big impact, but you’re a humble kid, and we know you can take on whatever comes your way, but it is your choice to make.’”

Hunter sits at the upper echelon of the Heisman rankings alongside Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, and Miami quarterback Cam Ward. The Buffaloes hold a 9-3 record and are set to face the BYU Cougars in the Alamo Bowl on December 28.

The 6’1” 185-pound star reflected on where he would be if he had ended up with the Seminoles and noted how emotional his last game as a collegiate athlete would be.

“I don’t know where I would be. I try to figure that out. I try not to think too much about it because we have one more game, and it’s going to be our last together. It gets you kinda emotional because it changed my life forever… I don’t know where I would’ve been if I went to Florida State.”

Playing both wide receiver and defensive back positions, Hunter is regarded as one of the most talented football players in college football. He has 1,878 yards from scrimmage and 20 touchdowns on offense, paired with 43 tackles, three for a loss, and seven interceptions during his two seasons in Colorado. One of the reasons he said he chose to play for Sanders is that he could be on both sides of the ball and that he would be allowed to do that in Jackson State.

“I don’t think any other school in the world was gonna let me do that. It took him a minute to let me play both sides of the ball. Like he said, I had to dominate on one side of the ball first to earn my stripes to play on the other side,” Hunter said. “That’s the conversation we had before I got here. Like, ‘Coach, I’ve got to play both sides. I’m too bored on the sideline. I don’t like sitting on the sideline. I’m eager to go out there and get the ball in my hands and show you what I can do.’”

Regardless of where Hunter ended up, it is no surprise that he would be in the spotlight, given his prodigious athletic talents and work ethic. Wherever he lands at the next level, there is a good amount of certainty you will be hearing his name called on Sundays.

READ MORE: Florida State Legacy Wide Receiver Enters NCAA Transfer Portal

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FRIDAY

A beautiful night in the park, Bear Creek by Candlelight is the holiday hike down trails lighted by moonlight and luminarias. Then music, chili, crafts, wolf dogs, Search and Rescue and stories with Santa, 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road. $7-$8. Register: 719-520-6387,elpasocountynaturecenters.com

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

First weekend of three for the Friday-Saturday Christmas at the Ranch, a real ranch with more than 200,000 lights everywhere. Candy Cane Lane, long roller slides, lighted tractor rides and visits with the animals including Mini Highland cows, alpacas, Watusi cattle, goats, sheep, ponies and a whole lot more. Colorado Kids Ranch, 2205 E. Colorado 105, Monument, $12, ages 3 and younger free. coloradokidsranch.com

SATURDAY

Take a Yuletide Stroll in Peyton Junction, shopping all along Front Street “Where Friendly Hangs Out.” Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. in what the folks in Peyton call their town: “small, vibrant and quirky.” Horse and carriage rides, treats and baby animals. facebook.com/peytonjunctionmarketplace

SATURDAY

The finale for the YMCA Run Series and lots of reindeer and Santa runners. The Jingle Jog 5K and Kids’ 1K Reindeer Run begins at 10 a.m. with the free kids’ run, then 10:30 a.m. for Jingle Jog (“Oh What Fun it is to Run”). Location is Fountain-Fort Carson High School, 900 Jimmy Camp Road, Fountain. For cost and registration: ppymca.org/raceseries. 

SATURDAY

For those facing addiction or recovery and families of addicts, this is a personal evening, Second Chance Comedy: A Standup Comedy Show about Addiction at Ent Center for the Arts, Chapman Foundation Recital Hall, 5225 N. Nevada Ave., 7 p.m. Saturday. The comics are all dealing with sobriety and it’s a benefit for Sobriety House in Denver, the state’s oldest licensed substance use treatment center. Tickets $28, tickets.entcenterforthearts.org/5308/5309

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

A holiday treat, the Holiday Express Trains between Colorado and New Mexico, Antonito and Chama, part of the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. Amazing views of the mountains along with Santa and his helpers, hot cocoa, cookies, candy canes, Cinder Bear and the elves. $20-$30. Reservations: cumbrestoltec.com.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

Musical Postcards from the North Pole will be sent by the Out Loud Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus, Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, 20 E. St. Vrain St. Tickets $25 at outloudcsmc.com/events

SATURDAY

A beautiful candlelight night of music and spoken word, “Wintersong” is a longtime community tradition in historic Shove Chapel on the Colorado College campus. Featuring the a cappella Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble Saturday at 4 and 7:30 p.m., 1010 N. Nevada Ave., suggested $10 donation. cvae.org/wintersong.

SATURDAY

The Old Colorado City Holiday Tree Lighting in Bancroft Park is 5:30 p.m. Saturday, opening with Christmas carols, Santa and music by Jahida Esperanza and Christmas Brass. Lights go on at 6. shopoldcoloradocity.com/events/holiday-tree-lighting-celebration