Travis Hunter subtly avoids question of joining the New York Giants in the 2025 NFL draft

Travis Hunter is set to draw the curtain of his college football career after Colorado’s Alamo Bowl game against BYU. The Buffaloes' two-way star recorded the biggest achievement of his collegiate career last week when he claimed the coveted Heisman Trophy in New York.

Following an illustrious college career, Hunter is now preparing to transition to the professional stage. Ahead of the Heisman ceremony in New York, he was asked in a press conference about his future in the NFL and whether he would consider playing in New York with the Giants.

“I don't know,” Hunter said (5:00 mark). “I don’t think that far yet. I'm just where my feet are right now. That's here in New York with the Heisman ceremony. So I'm here to enjoy my time, and then next week, I'll be ready, preparing for the bowl game."

“After that, I'll be preparing for the draft and how everything goes with that. But I'm just where my feet are right now. I'm not trying to think too far ahead. Can't, you know, mess up the mental bar trying to think too far ahead.”

Michael Irvin tells Travis Hunter to send NFL teams a clear pre-draft message

Travis Hunter has played on both sides of the ball throughout his college football career at Jackson State and Colorado. He has reiterated his commitment to continuing that role in the NFL, an idea some franchises might not be open to.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Irvin believes Hunter should follow through with his plan and suggested he deliver a clear message to NFL teams considering drafting him. Irvin wants the Colorado standout to be upfront with teams about his desire to play both ways.

“In three years from now y'all will Shohei Ohtani my money to me,” Irvin said. “You see what I'm saying? I'm gonna play both sides. I'm playing receiver and DB. Shohei Ohtani my money to me, that's what I'm saying.”

“If I’m Travis Hunter, all jokes aside, I’m putting it out right now—If you’re not letting me play both ways don’t draft me. I fully intend to play both ways in the National Football League…I’m not letting them dictate my story. I’m telling you, ‘No, I’m playing both ways.'”

There is ongoing debate about whether Travis Hunter can thrive as a two-way player at the professional level. While it is much tougher to do in the NFL, previous players who played both ways typically did so sparingly. It remains to be seen how Hunter will handle that challenge in the league.