By Donald Heath

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Wide receiver Trayvis Hunter has a new home at Effingham County High School.

After a recent football practice, he surveyed the landscape and looked beyond Rebel Field’s west endzone to a sign where past team achievements are posted.

“I want to get us back on the board right there,” he says.

Hunter’s arrival in Springfield comes with a story. His brother Travis Hunter, a star wide receiver and defensive back at the University of Colorado, bought the family a house in the area.

Trayvis, five years younger than Travis, left Collins Hill and became the new kid on the block, adding more speed and big-play ability to ECHS’ already potent passing offense.

It was an offseason Christmas present for Rebels coach John Ford.

“(Trayvis family) came out and said they’d like to visit. Heck, yeah. Trayvis is a good kid. We had a great conversation,” Ford said. “When they got here, (Trayvis and his brother) were just messing around (racing) on the field and I was, ‘Oh my God, he’s running evenly with his brother.’”

On Aug. 9, Trayvis Hunter put his speed on display in a scrimmage against Wayne County. He finished with three catches for a team-leading 43 yards and a touchdown.

In the third quarter, Ford drew up a screen pass for his 5-foot-6, 135-pound sophomore. Hunter looked like a dart heading 22 yards to a bullseye.

“I took one or two steps, caught it and my linemen blocked and the rest was just history,” Hunter said. “I’ve been fast all my life. It’s natural to me, make sure the other guy doesn’t catch me.”

Maybe it’s in the genes. Travis Hunter was the nation’s top recruit coming out of Collins Hill. He went to Jackson State to play for Deion Sanders, then transferred to Colorado when Sanders took the job with the Buffaloes.

Travis Hunter’s dual role as a wide receiver and defensive back was a big part of the college world’s love affair with Colorado last season. The Buffaloes, who won one game in 2022, defeated national runnerup Texas Christian 45-42 in the 2023 season opener.

Hunter caught 11 passes for 119 yards and added three tackles and an interception on defense while playing 140 snaps in the game.

Travis now makes $2.4 million in name, image and likeness compensation, according to an article in Bleacher Report, and could be a top pick in the NFL draft after this season.

Travis shared his good fortune with his family, surprising his mother with the keys to the new, five-bedroom house on her birthday.  

“I get asked about him a lot,” Trayvis Hunter said. “I don’t think anyone asked today, but it’s pretty often. I’m proud of what he’s been doing and the man he’s become. He was an influence all my life. He was always there for me. We played in the back yard and in the park.”

Did you ever get the better of him?

“Sometimes. Not now, though,” said Trayvis, smiling.

Ford said he’s been told that Trayvis is similar in natural talent as Travis was at the same age.

“You can tell (Trayvis) has grown up around the game,” Ford said. “He’s grown up with someone who plays it at a high level. (Trayvis) is smooth and just needs a sliver of grass to make a play.

“By the time his third step hits the ground, he’s at full speed. He’s explosive and we’re excited to have him. Just give him the ball and let him do what God blessed him to do.”

After a Week 1 bye, the Rebels open their season Friday night at Houston County. It’s expected to be a tough test, but Hunter is ready to run with his new teammates.

“I feel connected with my teammates so things are going great,” he said.