Travis Hunter, The Country’s Top Football Recruit, Commits To HBCU Jackson State

The nation’s #1 high school athlete is choosing to begin his college football career at JSU.

Fans of college sports may have heard of Travis Hunter, a Georgia-based high school senior who is one of the nation’s top-ranking football recruits. 

The #1 football recruit committing to an HBCU is big news, mainly because most high-ranking players sign to predominantly white institutions PWIs.

For instance, over the past six years, the top recruits have signed with either Ohio State, Clemson, Georgia State, UCLA, or the University of Michigan. Furthermore, a look at the top-ranking recruits from 2000 onwards shows that no one committed to an HBCU.

However, Hunter broke this trend by signing to JSU. Since the news broke, a clip of his announcement has begun circulating on social media, and many viewers share in the audience’s excitement. It’s also worth noting that he gets some extra kudos for making his revelation so suspenseful! 

Following his announcement, the athlete further elaborated on choosing JSU over FSU in a post on social media.

“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,” Hunter wrote. “It’s a dream that is hard to let go of, but sometimes we are called to step into a bigger future that the one we imagined for ourselves. For me, that future is at Jackson State University.”

Hunter reportedly visited Jackson State in November to watch the team’s victory over Alcorn State and clarified the importance of signing with an HBCU despite his initial plans to play for Florida State. 

https://twitter.com/TravisHunterJr/status/1471166038834356237?s=20

“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. “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,” Hunter stated. “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.” 

Original News Source: Blavity  / Written Credits by:  Nick Fenley