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- When Travis Hunter flipped his commitment from Florida State to Jackson State, it sent shockwaves across college football.
- Should Hunter ever choose to change his mind, it sounds like the door remains open in Tallahassee.
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College football’s Early Signing Period first arrived in 2017. Five years later, it brought one of the biggest storylines in recruiting history.
On December 14, 2021, the day before Early Signing Day, the expectation was that Travis Hunter was down to two schools. As the No. 1 recruit in the nation, he could have gone anywhere in the country, but he was considered to be deciding between Florida State, Auburn, Clemson and Georgia.
All signs pointed toward the 6-foot-1, 165-pound wide receiver and cornerback committing to play in Tallahassee. And then the entire landscape of college football was flipped on its head.
Hours before Hunter’s singing day announcement, rumors began to circle about him potentially committing to play for Deion Sanders at Jackson State. And then the chatter continued to get louder and louder until Hunter stood in front of three hats, tossed them all aside, and became the highest-ranked prospect to commit to an HBCU or FCS program.
The nation’s top recruit committed to play for Coach Prime in Mississippi.
Hunter’s decision sent shockwaves across college football. Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, who likely thought that he was about to land the No. 1 overall recruit, handled the decision with grace.
However, it sounds like he also left the door open. In the new era of college football, the transfer portal is allowing players more mobility than ever and if Hunter every chose to change his mind and wanted to play for the Seminoles, it would be safe to assume that he would be welcomed with open arms.
Hunter recently spoke with 247 Sports and made it clear that he plans to stay in Jackson. His longterm plan is to “be able to graduate from Jackson State and to be able to go to the league from Jackson State.”
He also mentioned that when he made his commitment, Norvell and defensive backs coach Marcus Woodson texted him to congratulate him. They never talked via phone.
“I texted them. I didn’t get on the phone with them. I talked over text. That’s it.”
Hunter also said that they weren’t upset or frustrated, but congratulatory and willing to stay in contact should things change down the road.
“Coach (Mike) Norvell shot me a text and said congrats. He wasn’t mad or nothing. He said congrats. Coach (Marcus) Woodson wasn’t mad either. He was telling me congrats. He was telling me if I ever need them hit him up.”
Obviously, Florida State would be thrilled to bring Hunter to Tallahassee via transfer portal if that was ever to be an option. As of right now, it doesn’t sound like it is.
But the door is open.