Will Travis Hunter play both ways in NFL? Exploring Colorado star's potential position in the league

Travis Hunter is a name that’s buzzing in the college football world, and for good reason. As a standout for the Colorado Buffaloes, Hunter's ability to play both offense and defense at a high level has sparked debate about his future position in the NFL.

Will Travis Hunter play both ways in NFL?

NFL analysts argue that Hunter would need to focus on one role when he hits the professional stage. But, Deion Sanders, his coach and a former two-way star himself, believes otherwise. Coach Prime has been vocal about Hunter's potential to excel as a two-way player in the NFL.

“The NFL [has] got a problem,” Sanders stated. “What are you gonna draft him as? And he’s gotta play both ways. Because he has value on both sides of the ball.”

This confidence isn't without on-field results. The Colorado WR’s versatility was on full display in his first season at Colorado, where he logged 57 receptions for 721 yards and five touchdowns, alongside three interceptions and five pass breakups on defense.

The 21-year-old has been tearing it apart on both sides of the ball since his high school days at Collins Hill in Suwanee, Georgia. As a five-star recruit, his stats read 76 catches for 1,128 yards and 10 TDs while registering four interceptions as well.

He continued performing similarly at Jackson State, where as a true freshman, he recorded two interceptions and eight pass breakups at cornerback. As the NFL increasingly values top-tier wide receivers for their offensive firepower, Hunter's dual-threat capability makes him a unique asset.

For now, the opinions remain divided on whether Travis Hunter will play on both sides of the ball in the NFL or not.

Travis Hunter NFL Draft

Colorado's two-way sensation is being touted as one the most exciting athletes to watch out for in the 2024 season, with many putting him in the running for the Heisman Trophy.

Travis Hunter is projected as an early first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, ESPN analyst Matt Miller predicts that NFL teams will likely ask him to choose a primary position.

"He's a three-way player," Miller noted on SportsCenter. "But at some point, he'll be forced to decide. He played more snaps than anyone last year and needs to prove he can stay healthy."

His impressive performance earned him the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player in college football and a Second Team All-Pac 12 spot. Rated as a five-star prospect and the No. 1 overall recruit in 2022, Hunter is gearing up for a career-defining season under Deion Sanders.