The 2022 Polynesian Bowl was filled with future collegiate and pro stars, but Travis Hunter was the marquee name at this year’s festivities.
These top performers made their mark this week at the Polynesian Bowl including Travis Hunter the No.1 player in the 2022 class. https://t.co/OH6ONPsbxo pic.twitter.com/NxUlTbRs9i
— Chris Singletary (@CSing57) January 24, 2022
The 2022 No. 1 overall recruit, who surprisingly flipped his longstanding commitment from Florida State to Jackson State on early signing day, was the best player to take the field in Honolulu, Hawaii.
For his efforts, the Collins Hill High School star was named Offensive MVP of the game.
Hunter kept it short and sweet after the game. He’s already created enough of a media firestorm to last three careers by taking his Power 5 school talents to an HBCU.
That move sent shock waves through collegiate Athletics.
“I did what I do, Hunter said. “Just show them what I can do.”
Hunter finished with five receptions for 54 yards, and on defense his interception at the goal line thwarted an early scoring drive by Team Mauka.
Team Mauka was coached by Grambling State and Super Bowl champion QB Doug Williams and won the game 17-3.
The #1 Ranked High School Player in the Nation @TravisHunterJr with @MiamiDolphins QB @Tua after receiving the 2022 Polynesian Bowl Offensive MVP Award#PolyBowl2k22 🤙🏽🌴 pic.twitter.com/6tRhqUHcba
— POLYNESIAN BOWL (@polynesiabowl) January 24, 2022
Hunter even paid some homage to his future coach Deion Sanders following that interception.
Travis Hunter with the pick and Primetime impersonation! #PolynesianBowl pic.twitter.com/ki3b8EVLgo
— Tiger Talk with the 1400 Klub – The Podcast (@TigerTalk1400) January 23, 2022
Polynesian Bowl Featured Four Of The Nation’s Top 10 Players: Hunter Showed Why He’s No. 1
@GoJSUTigersFB signee #TravisHunter makes first catch of Polynesian Bowl. #JacksonStateFootball #BiggDoggChico pic.twitter.com/1KyY9Xlls8
— BiggDoggChico (@ChicoCleveland) January 23, 2022
Hunter was joined by some other top-10 prospects, including Walter Nolen (Texas AM) and Harold Perkins, the nephew of former Washington Football Team safety Alvin Walton.
On Monday, Perkins decommitted from (Texas AM), reopening his recruitment. While they both flashed and played well, no player was better than Hunter, who executes his two-way abilities with a serious chip on his shoulder pads.
FIVE-STAR 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 COUNTDOWN
Staying at No. 1 overall is Jackson State signee Travis Hunter @TravisHunterJr
“He has unique athleticism and playmaking ability that no one else has in this class.” — @adamgorney
See the full list of five-stars here: https://t.co/kd3yu4NnPA pic.twitter.com/LqjeFuk5tz
— Rivals (@Rivals) January 24, 2022
Hunter plays like he’s always got something to prove. He’s easily one of the most skilled players to come along in a decade.
The physical gifts he possesses are obvious in his play, but his competitive nature is what sets him apart.
Hunter plays football with an infectious fervor, which indicates that he genuinely loves the game.
Coach Prime was pretty mum on Hunter winning MVP. He just wanted him to finish the game without getting hurt.
The real work is about to begin. Sanders is also still busy finishing up a watershed recruiting class for Jackson State, a 2022 class which features Hunter as the bell cow.
Sanders is expected to fully utilize Hunter’s two-way ability in the SWAC, which is something Sanders did himself in college and the pros.
The more you see of Travis Hunter, the more iconic it is that Deion was actually able to secure such a program-changing, culture-shifting talent.
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