Will Travis Hunter play both ways in the NFL? Making the case for top 2025 NFL Draft prospect to spread his wings
Travis Hunter is one of the most dynamic overall prospects entering the 2025 NFL Draft this year. He is a rare player who has been successful on both sides of the football, playing as both a wide receiver and cornerback. The Colorado Buffaloes superstar is likely to be one of the top picks this year due to his rare talents, though it's unclear if he will play both ways in the NFL.
Being a two-way player in the NFL is extremely rare, but it has been done before, including by his current head coach Deion Sanders during his career that resulted in him being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. While Hunter is a talented prospect regardless, the capability of contributing both ways is what truly makes him special.
The 2025 NFL Draft is just a couple of months away and Travis Hunter is currently projected to be one of the top overall selections. Here's his overall outlook as a wide receiver and cornerback, demonstrating why he should pursue a unique career of playing on both offense and defense for whichever team eventually drafts him.
Travis Hunter college football career as a WR
Travis Hunter transferred to the Colorado Buffaloes two years ago when Deion Sanders accepted the position as the head coach. He joined Coach Prime and his son Shedeur Sanders, their starting quarterback, to give them two of the top overall prospects in this year's 2025 NFL Draft. They both have ceilings of being the first player selected, depending on how things play out on draft day.
Sanders' top target in the passing game was Hunter, who turned in massive numbers in his two seasons with the team. His first year included 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns, but he exploded for massive results in year two.
His 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 receiving touchdowns were all among the best marks in the entire country. In all three categories, he ranked inside of the top-two players in the competitive Big 12 Conference and among the top five in the NCAA this year.
Hunter filled up his trophy case during those two seasons, being selected as an All-American in both. His second season also included winning the Heisman Trophy and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
While playing both ways surely contributed to that, his receiving numbers alone would be good enough to make him one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Travis Hunter college football career as a CB
While Travis Hunter was impressive as a wide receiver, many around the NFL believe that he is even better on the defensive side of the football.
He is one of the top-rated cornerbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class and most assume that if he plays just one position in the NFL, it would be as a defensive back. This is extremely high praise, considering his numbers as a receiver were among the best in the country.
In two seasons as a cornerback with the Buffaloes, he totaled seven interceptions, 16 defended passes, and a forced fumble, to go along with 66 total tackles. His contributions absolutely contributed to him winning the 2024 Heisman Trophy, but he received individual defensive honors as well.
He was selected to win the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is college football's trophy for the Defensive Player of the Year. He also won the Player of the Year award for the Big 12 Conference overall.
Hunter is an exceptionally rare talent on the football field and definitely someone to look out for in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
The fact that he plays both sides of the ball at an elite level is what makes him most attractive, and considering how few players have been able to find success in two positions in the NFL, he could instantly add to his own legacy by giving it a shot.