Can Travis Hunter play both ways in the NFL? Yes.
Should he play both ways? Yes.
The reasoning behind this lies in Hunter’s remarkable versatility and talent, which he has consistently demonstrated on the field.
In a memorable moment last November, just before Colorado’s Big 12 clash with Utah, Hunter playfully interrupted Deion Sanders, his head coach at Colorado, to grab a pair of shoes he admired during a press conference. This light-hearted act occurred amid the intense atmosphere of college football, showcasing Hunter’s confidence and his knack for making bold choices.
This boldness extends to his ability to play both positions in the NFL.
“He’s gonna do that, or they shouldn’t draft him,” Sanders stated in a recent interview about Hunter’s dual capabilities. “I’m gonna make sure of it. Don’t draft him if you’re not going to give him an opportunity to play on both sides of the ball.”
As Colorado emerged as a top-25 program, finishing tied for the Big 12 regular-season lead at 7-2, Hunter showcased one of the most impressive seasons in college football’s long history.
No other player has logged nearly 1,500 snaps in a single season like Hunter did in 2024, competing at the highest level of college football.
Hunter’s statistics are equally remarkable; he is the only player to achieve at least 1,000 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions in a single season. He also won the Chuck Bednarik Award for the best defensive player, the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the best wide receiver, and the Heisman Trophy in the same year.
The notion that he could be recognized as both the best defender and the most outstanding player without even being a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award is perplexing.
Many athletes aspire to dominate the game as Hunter has. The discussions surrounding his NFL prospects center not just on his draft position but on whether he can successfully play both cornerback and wide receiver.
“The thing about Travis is he is so good at both positions that you have to allow him to do both,” Sanders remarked. “You need to focus on what he is. He’s the best corner going into the draft, he’s the best wide receiver going into the draft, he’s the best football player going into the draft, and he’s a great kid.”
No one is more aware of the demands of playing both ways than Sanders, who has closely followed Hunter’s growth and trusted him to prepare for the challenges that come with such a workload. Hunter has consistently risen to the occasion.
While he has faced injuries, the nature of football means injuries are a given. NFL teams often exercise caution with players who have had injuries, especially when significant investments are involved. However, Hunter’s injury history does not mirror that of his college quarterback, Shedeur Sanders, who endured 50 sacks in 2023 and suffered a vertebrae fracture.
Hunter experienced a serious injury in 2023 when he sustained a lacerated liver from a hit against Colorado State. In 2024, he faced a shoulder injury while playing wide receiver against Kansas State, which he aggravated against Arizona. Despite this, he managed to catch 96 passes for 1,258 yards while maintaining a 4.0 GPA at Colorado.
Many doubt whether Hunter can sustain this level of performance. The NFL is the highest tier of football, and numerous players, including Hall of Famers, have struggled. However, Hunter’s physical talent sets him apart.
Skeptics once doubted Shohei Ohtani’s ability to excel as both a hitter and pitcher in Major League Baseball. Ohtani has since won three unanimous MVP awards, boasting impressive statistics, including a 3.14 ERA and 44 home runs in his last full season as a pitcher. He also made history last season by hitting 50 home runs and stealing 50 bases.
Other examples include LeBron James, who entered the NBA at just 18 years old and has become one of the sport’s all-time greats, winning four championships and four MVP awards. Deion Sanders also stands out as the only athlete to participate in both a World Series and a Super Bowl.
However, these legends have achieved championships at the highest levels of their respective sports, a milestone Hunter has yet to reach.
Despite the skepticism, many would place their bets on Hunter rather than against him. Just as some refuse to acknowledge the consequences of certain choices, they may overlook the fact that Travis Hunter is poised to excel playing both ways in the NFL.
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