“I want to play both.” Till now, the whole football world knows the desperation Travis Hunter has to play on both sides of the field in the NFL. But it looks like the whole world is against his dream. Let’s be honest, not everyone was a believer in Travis Hunter from the start. When Deion Sanders recruited him, the college football world scoffed. Now? He’s a Heisman winner, proving exactly what he’s capable of. However, as he eyes an NFL career, the same question lingers—can he excel on both offense and defense? While Coach Prime is unwavering, his confidence only increases the pressure on Hunter’s future!

Now we all know how fans and critics are taking shots at Travis Hunter’s NFL aspirations. They are constantly pointing out that he is a better CB than WR. Because of that, Travis Hunter already finds himself at a crossroads. And now Deion Sanders, who knows a thing or two about playing both ways, insists Hunter can handle it at the next level and is just putting up more pressure on him. His argument? Talking about it on the Dan Patrick show, he says, ”

“He is like another son to me. Travis is a generational type of young man that we may never ever see again. He cares about the game and being great.” Plus, while talking about how many snaps Travis can make in the NFL, he says, “People forget that. What do you mean you got huddles? You go to huddles, the next snap isn’t until what, 45 seconds or more later, right? College is tempo. Yeah, go, go, go, go, snap, snap, snap, snap. Pros are huddles; he gets the rest a lot more, then the game is not as physical.”

Well, that’s not entirely wrong. We can compare the pace of college football to a sprint, while the NFL uses a more strategic approach. This is precisely what Deion Sanders is counting on when he asserts that Travis Hunter can excel in playing both offense and defense at the next level. In college, the game maintains a relentless pace due to constant movement and clock stoppages after first downs. In contrast, the NFL incorporates huddles, rolling clocks, and structured breaks, allowing players more time to recover. But it’s important to remember that the NFL is still a highly physical game that rewards specialization, not experiments.

However, let’s not forget that Travis Hunter is no stranger to experimentation, as Travis isn’t just a two-way player; he’s a walking highlight reel. His impressive 600+ snaps defy the norms of modern football, yet he continues to deliver at an elite level. On offense, he consistently shredded defenses, racking up 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, leaving secondaries in ruins week after week. Defensively, he made quarterbacks think twice with four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. His dominance is not only rare; it’s unprecedented in today’s game.

But can he sustain this level of performance in the NFL? Travis Hunter’s historic run hit another level in Colorado’s final regular-season showdown against Oklahoma State. He became the first player since 1996 to score three receiving touchdowns and an interception in the same game. This was not merely a stat-padding performance; it was a statement.

While most players focus on specialization, Hunter thrives in chaotic situations. However, with the demanding nature of the NFL ahead, will his endurance hold up, or will reality force him to make a shift? For now, at least, he finds himself in a weird position.

Todd McShay’s warning to Travis Hunter’s NFL future

Well know that Travis Hunter’s talent is beyond question – the guy is a walking highlight reel. Any team that drafts him will acquire a dual-threat phenom who can wreak havoc on both offense and defense. However, Todd McShay consistently brings up the elephant in the room: the risk involved. During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, he didn’t mince words,

“Where are we gonna play him? I mean, that’s the big question because I look at him right now based off of tape, and you would think it would be cornerback. It’s his best spot, he was pitched as a cornerback coming out of high school and it was all about his cornerback skills, and he is a dynamic player on that side of the ball. I actually think, Richie, that he’s a better wide receiver right now.” Playing both ways at the NFL level is a different beast, and history isn’t exactly on Hunter’s side.

Now, let’s not forget that players like Deion Sanders and Troy Brown have successfully played on both sides of the ball, they didn’t reach Hunter’s level of performance. Troy began as a receiver before transitioning to cornerback to fill a need for the Patriots. Deion, on the other hand, recorded a meager 60 career catchs, far from being a true offensive weapon. Even Champ Bailey, another renowned two-way player, only had two career receptions. The reality is that NFL teams are not fond of complicated roles.

Moreover, recruiters prefer players who can step in and contribute immediately, rather than a puzzle that requires load management. Hunter’s talent alone might challenge this thinking, but history suggests otherwise. Coaches generally lean towards players who specialize in one role and excel at it, keeping things straightforward. If Hunter continues to play on both sides of the ball, he will either break the mold or demonstrate why it exists. Now, we must wait and see if Travis Hunter can defy convention and follow Deion Sanders’ advice.