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Travis Hunter, the electrifying talent from Colorado, made one thing abundantly clear at the NFL Combine: he’s not here to follow the norm. Wearing a shirt labeled “DB 15,” Hunter stepped up to the podium and confidently declared, “Nobody has ever done it the way I do it.” The statement wasn’t just bravado—it was a bold affirmation of his ambition to redefine what’s possible in the NFL by excelling as both a cornerback and wide receiver.
A unicorn in the making: Travis Hunter’s vision for dual dominance
Hunter’s journey to the NFL is anything but conventional. Under the guidance of Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) at Colorado, he became a college football phenomenon, averaging an astonishing 113 snaps per game with an almost even split between offense and defense. His ability to dominate on both sides of the ball earned him the Heisman Trophy and solidified his reputation as a once-in-a-generation talent.
Now, as he prepares for the NFL Draft, Hunter is doubling down on his unique path. “I’ve got my own unique case that I can play both sides of the ball,” he stated. “Not that many people in the NFL have done it.”
While the league hasn’t seen a true two-way player since Chuck Bednarik in the 1960s, Travis Hunter is determined to break the mold.
NFL executives, however, remain cautiously optimistic. Eliot Wolf of the New England Patriots, who hold the fourth overall pick, suggested Hunter might “major in one and minor in the other.” Similarly, Cleveland Browns GM Andrew Berry called Hunter a “unicorn” for his rare ability to excel at both positions but hinted that his future team might prioritize one role over the other.
“We would see him as a receiver primarily first,” Berry admitted, citing Travis Hunter’s elite “ball skills” as a game-changing asset. “But part of what makes him special is the fact that he can do both at a high level.”
Hunter, for his part, remains unfazed by the skepticism. He’s no stranger to proving doubters wrong. Coming out of high school, many questioned whether he could handle double duty at the collegiate level. Under Sanders’ mentorship, he not only proved them wrong but thrived. Now, he’s ready to do it again on football’s biggest stage.
“They say nobody has ever done it the way I do it,” Hunter said with a smile. “But I tell them I’m just different. I’m a different person.”
The road ahead: Challenges and opportunities
While Travis Hunter’s confidence is undeniable, the road to NFL stardom won’t be easy. The physical demands of playing both offense and defense at the professional level are immense, and teams may hesitate to risk overworking their prized rookie. Hunter, however, is prepared. He credits his rigorous training and recovery regimen—cold tubs, hyperbaric oxygen chambers, and red-light therapy—for keeping him in peak condition.
“I feel like nobody can do it,” he said. “I did it at the college level, where you rarely get breaks. There are a lot more breaks in the NFL.”
Hunter’s willingness to adapt is another key to his potential success. While he dreams of playing both ways, he’s open to focusing on one position if his future team prefers.
“I would hope for them to let me earn the other position,” he said. “But that’s up to them, not me.”
As the draft approaches, Hunter’s story continues to captivate fans and analysts alike. Whether he becomes a full-time two-way player or excels in a single role, one thing is certain: Travis Hunter is determined to leave his mark on the NFL—his way.
