Travis Hunter: The two-way phenom forcing NFL teams to rethink player roles

The terms 'rare' and 'unicorn' are often overused when discussing NFL prospects ahead of the draft, but those descriptions are apt in Travis Hunter's case.

The excitement surrounding the Colorado Buffaloes standout comes not just from his ability to contribute on offense and defense but from his ability to excel in both areas.

DAZN News examines why Hunter could take the league by storm as a two-way player.

Two-Way Precedent

The NFL has seen its share of players who have made an impact on both offense and defense.

Chuck Bednarik  famously played as a center and linebacker, peaking during the Philadelphia Eagles 1960 NFL Championship in which he made a game-saving tackle in the game's final moments.

William 'The Refrigerator' Perry became an NFL icon as much for his dominant performance as a hulking 335-pound defensive tackle as for his effectiveness as a fullback in goal line situations.

Hall of Famer Deion Sanders achieved great renown as a lockdown cornerback, but he also played wide receiver, helping the Dallas Cowboys win Super Bowl XXX in a season where he 36 receptions for 475 yards.

Comparisons have been made between Sanders' accomplishments and what Hunter has the potential to achieve, fuelled by their similar skillset and shared connection at Colorado and Jackson State, where Sanders served as Hunter's head coach.

College Career

Hunter excelled in Colorado under Sanders' tutelage, demonstrating the elite athleticism, playmaking ability, and football IQ to make him a difference-maker.

In three years with the program, Hunter amassed  171 receptions for 2,169 yards and 24 touchdowns as a wide receiver.

The youngster also dominated as a cornerback, totalling 85 tackles, nine interceptions, and 23 passes defended.

His 2024 campaign was so impressive that he won the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the top player in college football.

Such was his impact on both sides of the ball that Hunter became the first player in college history to win the  Chuck Bednarik Award, awarded to the nation's top defensive player, and the  Fred Biletnikoff Award, the nation's best wide receiver.

When asked to compare Hunter's two-way abilities to his own, Sanders admitted, "I don't match".

NFL Draft Projection

The increasingly pass-centric nature of the NFL and the importance of having a capable signal caller have led NFL teams to select a quarterback with the first overall pick in eight of the past 10 years.

The three teams currently sitting atop the NFL Draft order are  all in desperate need of a quarterback, but Hunter is so talented that it would be a major surprise if he were not made a priority.

NFL.com network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund believes Hunter will be selected first overall.

What position will he play?

Despite calls from sections of fans and analysts for Hunter to play full-time as both a wide receiver and a cornerback, concerns about durability and injury risk make it unlikely he will be an every-down player on both sides of the ball.

There appears to be consensus among NFL teams that they will make use of his two-way ability, but there is no agreement as to what his primary position should be.

The Cleveland Browns, who currently hold the second overall pick, said they view Hunter primarily as a wide receiver.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee Titans, who hold the first overall pick, said they anticipate Hunter playing primarily as a cornerback.

Irrespective of the position teams envision best for Hunter, at least one team echoed the thoughts of many draftniks.

Career Outlook

No NFL prospect is a surefire thing, but Hunter is as close as it gets.

As a wide receiver, he has the athleticism, route running, and run-after-the-catch ability to become an elite playmaker.

As a defensive back, he has the instincts, football IQ, and length to become one of the game's true lockdown cornerbacks.

Hopefully, he will land with a team that is willing to give him every opportunity to maximise his skill set and contribute on both sides of the ball.

Fortunately, as one of the first players selected in the NFL Draft, Hunter will land with a team that needs help at both positions.

Regardless of where he plays and with which team, Hunter has the potential to become the NFL's greatest two-way player in the league's history.

In a sport where teams are always innovating to gain a competitive edge, if Hunter excels, he could revolutionize the NFL and inspire more players to follow in his footsteps as two-way stars.

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