Deion Sanders shares a special bond with Travis Hunter.

It was the Hall of Famer turned college coach who convinced the NFL’s newest two-way star to flip his commitment to the Jackson State Tigers back in 2021, before they departed for Colorado together.

Sanders shares a special bond with Hunter and sees him as a sonCredit: Getty
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Under the watchful eye of Sanders, Hunter exploded into a Heisman Trophy-winning talent who has gone on to enter the pros as the second overall pick of the 2025 draft.Being taken so high by the Jacksonville Jaguars landed the wide receiver/cornerback a mega four-year, $46.6 million rookie contract, and he is no doubt thankful to his college coach for helping him get to where he is today.

On the eve of his debut season, Hunter also announced some personal news that has left Sanders smiling like a proud father.

Travis and his wife, Leanna De La Fuente, revealed the arrival of their newborn son last week.
A short vlog, titled ‘Dear Son’, was posted on Hunter’s YouTube channel and documents the couple’s timeline up to when their baby was born.The couple have not revealed their newborn’s name nor a date of birth, but their announcement video has been viewed nearly half a million times in the days since.

Sanders was likely one of the first to hear about Hunter’s baby news, and was asked for his reaction during a press conference on Tuesday.

Coach Prime shares fatherhood advice with NFL rookie Hunter

“Oh my god, I’m taking a deep breath because I love him to life,” the Buffaloes head coach said.

“I love him like he’s a son.

“It’s funny when your son is now a father, so that’s why I had to step back. It’s a beautiful thing.”

Sanders shared his delight with Hunter’s baby news during a press conferenceCredit: CFBonFox

He also shared some advice about fatherhood with his former playerCredit: Getty
Sanders then revealed the advice he shared with Hunter after he became a father.

“The thing that I told him is, ‘Let’s correct all the things that we purposely think that we didn’t receive as a child,’” he said.

“Let’s correct that in our fatherhood, let’s do that. And no matter what happens in life, let’s make sure we are the best darn father that ever walked.

“That’s what I told him, and I’m proud of him, and I love him to life, and I miss him, dearly.”

As well as welcoming a newborn baby this summer, Hunter has taken on quite the load with the Jaguars too.

Hunter set to make name as NFL two-way star

Hunter is determined to play in the NFL as both a WR and CB, and Jacksonville is set to let him do just that.

Hunter hopes to make it as a two-way NFL star after impressing in collegeCredit: Getty
The 22-year-old has been working with both the offense and the defense, and despite being ‘humbled’ in preseason, heads into Week 1 listed as a starting receiver and backup corner.

He will hope to be the X-Factor that helps the Jaguars improve on a 4-13 finish last season, and is already making an impression on teammates.

“He’s been one of the hardest-working guys we have,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said of Hunter earlier this summer.

“I think it’s commitment to learning the playbook and trying to learn the two systems. It’s a lot on a rookie, it’s challenging to learn everything and he’s done a nice job.

“I’m really excited for him and how he can help our team.”
Hunter and the Jaguars begin their 2025 season with a home game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, September 7.