Colorado's Travis Hunter nearly costs himself millions, NFL future, with scary fall at Polynesian Bowl

Some of the nation's best high school football players came together under the Hawaiian lights on Friday night to compete in the Polynesian Bowl. It was a thrilling showcase of future college stars, with Team Makai defeating Team Mauka 28-21 in dramatic fashion.

The game's defining moment came with less than two minutes remaining, when USC signee Husan Longstreet found Oregon-bound wide receiver Dakorien Moore for a stunning 75-yard go-ahead touchdown.

But the spotlight wasn’t only on high school players. Future NFL stars like Colorado's Travis Hunter and Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan served as honorary captains, adding an extra layer of excitement to the evening.

However, the game took a frightening turn after Moore’s electrifying score. As Moore celebrated his highlight-reel touchdown, Hunter joined in the jubilation, leaping up to connect with the receiver. But disaster nearly struck. Hunter slipped as he started his jump, landing awkwardly and appearing to bend his left leg in an unsettling position.

For a moment, the scene was tense. Thankfully, Hunter got up quickly, smiling and brushing himself off, but his reaction masked what could have been a catastrophic injury. Moore, who also took a hard landing during the celebration, was checked on by Hunter.

Had the misstep resulted in a serious injury, it could have derailed Hunter’s future. As a projected top-five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter’s potential earnings and career trajectory hinge on staying healthy.

Hunter, a two-way star for Colorado and Heisman Trophy winner, has been one of college football’s best talents. His close call at the Polynesian Bowl serves as a stark reminder of how quickly things can change, even during what should be lighthearted moments. Fortunately for Hunter and NFL scouts, this scare was nothing more than that—a scare.