Top Performances Joel Klatt has Called: Hunter Introduces Himself as Two-Way Star

Top College Football Performances Called by Joel Klatt: Hunter Shines as Two-Way Star

Updated Jul. 18, 2025, 10:44 a. is 88jl legitm. ET

Joel Klatt, Lead College Football Analyst

Which player had the best performance in a game I’ve called?

A fan named Roy L asked me this question in the latest episode of my podcast. Honestly, that’s a tough question to answer. jl7 casino no deposit bonus I can’t pick just one, as there have been so many incredible performances. Instead, I’ll share my top five individual performances that I’ve ever called, presented in descending order. Throughout this week, I’ll cover them one by one.

Honorable Mentions

Before we dive in, I’d like to give a couple of shout-outs. Kyler Murray’s performance in the 2018 Red River Showdown was phenomenal. psa Texas won that game, but the former Oklahoma quarterback had an incredible run down the sideline that’s likely the best single play I’ve ever witnessed.

The other honorable mention is Ohio State quarterback JT Barrett’s comeback performance against Penn State in 2017. You might remember that Saquon Barkley took the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but Barrett was outstanding in that game. I just couldn’t fit him onto the main list.

Joel Klatt’s Top Performances So Far

1. 5. Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. & Edge JT Tuimoloau @ Penn State (2022)
2. 4. Michigan Edge Aidan Hutchinson vs. Ohio State (2021)
3. 3. Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield vs. Oklahoma State (2017)
4. 2. Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter vs. TCU (2023)

Highlighting No. 2: Travis Hunter vs. TCU

The second performance on my list introduced the college football world to an iconic player, Travis Hunter. The anticipation surrounding this game involving Deion Sanders and Travis Hunter was immense. It marked their first game at Colorado, and I remember insisting to FOX Sports executives that we needed to select this game early during the Big 12 TV draft. I suggested it should be the second game chosen that year, right after Red River.

They were surprised, but I knew the hype surrounding Colorado was real, and everyone wanted to see what Coach Prime would bring to the field. Additionally, Colorado was facing the previous season’s runner-up, TCU, and I believed it was better to showcase the Buffaloes earlier. jili 777 login

The game turned out to be a thrilling encounter. ok bet casino log in There was fantastic football, and the hype surrounding Sanders and Hunter materialized beautifully. We had all heard questions about whether Hunter could excel on both sides of the ball at Colorado, especially under the sweltering heat in Fort Worth that day, where it felt like 130 degrees on the field.

Hunter played a staggering 152 snaps in that heat, which was nothing short of remarkable. From that moment on, I realized Hunter was a star and arguably the best player in college football. He recorded 11 receptions for 119 yards on offense, a challenging feat under any circumstances.

Defensively, Hunter made one of the greatest interceptions I’ve ever seen. In the red zone, he left his man in coverage and dove to intercept the intended receiver’s pass in the flat. What many didn’t see was that earlier in that series, Hunter had chased down and tackled the TCU running back during a 74-yard run.

In the first half, Hunter and Sanders failed to connect on a pass in the end zone. Sanders gave a fantastic pre-halftime interview with Jenny Taft, stating, “We missed on two deep balls. [If] he gets those two deep balls, the Heisman is at his crib chillin’ right now.” That line captured both Sanders’ confidence and the bold spirit of the Colorado program. Colorado ultimately won that game, 45-42, but the rest of the season didn’t go as planned, with the Buffs finishing at 4-8, and Hunter missing some time due to injury. He did win the Heisman the following year, however.

Joel Klatt is FOX Sports’ lead college football game analyst and hosts the podcast, “The Joel Klatt Show.” Follow him at @joelklatt and subscribe to the “Joel Klatt Show” on YouTube.

What do you think about Travis Hunter’s performance in that game?