Travis Hunter is a straight-up lab-made specimen. From crushing grueling Navy SEAL training to casually clean-and-jerking 335 lbs, he’s proving he’s built different. Even though he’s not your typical muscle-bound dude, he consistently sets the bar sky-high, letting his game do the talking. Remember the Heisman hype? Everyone said his two-way play wouldn’t cut it. Hunter kept his head down, balled out, and took home the hardware. Now, with the NFL in his sights, the chatter’s shifted. Sure, his two-way abilities are still debated, but the “too skinny” narrative is back.

We all know how much playing both offense and defense means to Travis Hunter. But it appears his desire has finally met a roadblock. NFL Scouting Combine listed Hunter as a cornerback. While the question of his future role in the pros has lingered, this seems to indicate he’ll likely be playing on the defensive side of the field. However, that’s not the only setback to Hunter’s two-way dreams; Buffs analyst Kevin Borba delivers another dose of reality.

Borba raises injury concerns for the two-way star: “I don’t know how long he’s going to want to play both ways? The NFL game is very different. A lot of guys say it actually, but they wake up Monday morning and it feels like they’ve been in a car crash after playing the game. Does Travis Hunter—he’s—I won’t say he’s frail, but he’s a thinner guy, right? Does Travis Hunter have the body type, or, like, does he have the body type to hold up for 17 games in the regular season, plus the playoffs, to play both ways and still be an asset?” It’s evident that the NFL isn’t built for two-way heroes, but can Hunter thrive?

Doubts are valid about Travis Hunter’s ability to play both wide receiver and cornerback for 17 NFL games, given the physical demands and injury risk. Even NFL legend Cam Newton offered a reality check, saying, “Do I think he can play 72 plays on defense and another 57 on offense in the NFL? No.” At 185 pounds, he’s wiry, but not a beast. Even legends like Deion Sanders eventually focused on one position. But let’s not forget DeVonta Smith, the Super Bowl-winning wide receiver. His size (just 166 pounds at the time) was questioned during the draft process, yet he achieved a Heisman, playoff appearances, and a Super Bowl ring. So, 185 pounds shouldn’t necessarily be a barrier for Hunter, right?

Plus, remember the Buffs’ 335-pound clean lift? Under Coach Reeyes’ supervision, the team took turns, but Hunter, the two-way phenom, powered through three consecutive reps. That demonstrates his adaptability and strength. While his lean physique might make him injury-prone, it doesn’t necessarily limit his potential.

However, the Travis Hunter position debate reached a breaking point at the combine. With 713 offensive snaps and 748 defensive snaps in 2024, his primary NFL focus remains uncertain. While he might play both offense and defense, a full-time two-way role is unrealistic due to the league’s demands. Many, including Kevin Borba, believe Hunter should choose one position to maximize his impact.

Travis Hunter’s two-way skills find a middle way

Travis Hunter’s 2024 season stats are quite wild: 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 TDs on offense, plus 31 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and 4 interceptions on defense. Now no one can doubt his talent, but Shannon Sharpe suggests a more focused approach. He believes Hunter’s potential lies in dedicating himself to defense while occasionally contributing on offense. The notion of playing both ways in the NFL seems like a far-fetched aspiration, even for a talented player like Hunter.

Making his case, Sharpe said, “Play him at corner and have some [offensive] package… he can’t play every snap on offense and defense… y’all just want to argue the fact with people that have played the game, that have studied the game… we ain’t no casuals. We know what it takes to play at an elite level.”

Moreover, Sharpe presents a compelling argument, using Deion Sanders as an example. Even Deion Sanders, who dipped his toes into the unconventional waters of playing both NFL and MLB, never fully committed to playing both wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL. If a phenomenal athlete like Sanders couldn’t manage it, it raises questions about the feasibility of Hunter playing both positions full-time in every NFL game.

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Even former Raiders GM Mike Mayock also believes that while Travis Hunter can make an impact on offense when necessary, his focus should primarily be on defense. A 50-50 split sounds impractical, but a 70-30 or 80-20 split is seen as achievable. The NFL demands specialization, and Hunter’s elite cornerback skills make him too valuable to be a jack-of-all-trades. Will his two-way dreams survive the pros?