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Travis Hunter determined to play both offence, defence in NFL
Travis Hunter has been called a unicorn. He’s been called generational. And both for good reason. Hunter has become one of the most polarizing NFL prospects in recent years, not only due to his ability to play on both sides of the ball but also for the success that he’s had doing it. It’s unprecedented. His knack for making big plays on offence and defence hasn’t been seen since perhaps the days of Deion Sanders, Hunter’s mentor and now former coach. While the NFL is a step up from the collegiate ranks, the two-way star sees no problems with his game transitioning well. In fact, he’s made it quite clear what he wants to do at the next level: to continue what he’s done his entire career. “It’s never playing football again,” Hunter told CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell when asked what his response would be if an NFL team asked him to play on just one side. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it. In 2024, Hunter played 713 snaps on offence and 748 on defence, making him the first college player with more than 250 snaps on both sides of the ball since 2017. But the snaps numbers aren’t as impressive as the production. The 21-year-old caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a receiver – all top-five marks in the FBS – and recorded 11 passes defended and four interceptions as a cornerback en route to winning the Heisman Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award (DPoY). Hunter’s the only FBS player in history (since 1978) to record 1,000 receiving yards, 10 TDs and three interceptions in a season. “I just feel very confident in myself, and I got a competitive spirit that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and I feel like I can do it,” Hunter told Podell. He added that the NFL teams he’s met with throughout the pre-draft process haven’t had an issue with him wanting to play both offence and defence. The former University of Colorado star will be one of 17 top prospects attending the draft in Green Bay on April 24. He’s almost certainly going to be picked within the top five. But, to be clear, his commitment to playing both sides of the ball likely won’t impact his draft stock. Hunter isn’t necessarily giving potential NFL suitors an ultimatum, he’s simply oozing confidence and is eager to get going on the next chapter in his career. More from Sportsnet AP mock NFL draft 2.0: Titans take Cam Ward first, Giants take Sanders at No. 3 Projected top picks Ward, Hunter, Carter to attend NFL draft
Travis Hunter has been called a unicorn. He’s been called generational. And both for good reason.
Hunter has become one of the most polarizing NFL prospects in recent years, not only due to his ability to play on both sides of the ball but also for the success that he’s had doing it.
It’s unprecedented. His knack for making big plays on offence and defence hasn’t been seen since perhaps the days of Deion Sanders, Hunter’s mentor and now former coach.
While the NFL is a step up from the collegiate ranks, the two-way star sees no problems with his game transitioning well. In fact, he’s made it quite clear what he wants to do at the next level: to continue what he’s done his entire career.
“It’s never playing football again,” Hunter told CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell when asked what his response would be if an NFL team asked him to play on just one side. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it.
In 2024, Hunter played 713 snaps on offence and 748 on defence, making him the first college player with more than 250 snaps on both sides of the ball since 2017.
But the snaps numbers aren’t as impressive as the production. The 21-year-old caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns as a receiver – all top-five marks in the FBS – and recorded 11 passes defended and four interceptions as a cornerback en route to winning the Heisman Trophy and the Chuck Bednarik Award (DPoY).
Hunter’s the only FBS player in history (since 1978) to record 1,000 receiving yards, 10 TDs and three interceptions in a season.
“I just feel very confident in myself, and I got a competitive spirit that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and I feel like I can do it,” Hunter told Podell.
He added that the NFL teams he’s met with throughout the pre-draft process haven’t had an issue with him wanting to play both offence and defence.
The former University of Colorado star will be one of 17 top prospects attending the draft in Green Bay on April 24. He’s almost certainly going to be picked within the top five.
But, to be clear, his commitment to playing both sides of the ball likely won’t impact his draft stock. Hunter isn’t necessarily giving potential NFL suitors an ultimatum, he’s simply oozing confidence and is eager to get going on the next chapter in his career.
