Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter is a rare talent poised to be an early pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. His ability to play both sides of the ball is a unique asset, but whether that skill set translates to the NFL remains a major question. Hunter, however, is determined to make an impact on offense and defense.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer examined the challenges Hunter may face at the pro level if he tries to continue playing both ways. With the NFL’s demanding preparation, heavier playbooks, and elite competition, the transition won’t be easy.
Can Travis Hunter Play Both Ways?
Playing both sides in the NFL against more athletic players will be challenging. Hunter, though, seems to be up for the challenge and wants to play both sides, but Breer thinks Hunter will run into some problems.
“At Colorado, the challenge for the coaches wasn’t finding a way to use him on Saturdays so much as it was to allocate his time the rest of the week. How, in other words, do you deploy him in practice, in meetings, in a way where he’ll be ready to play well over 100 snaps at two positions with entirely different demands, challenges, and game plans,” Breer said.
The NFL requires extensive preparation, and Hunter may struggle to get the necessary reps on both sides of the ball. In college, he primarily played cornerback while being signaled his offensive routes — a system that likely won’t work at the next level.
“The Buffaloes staff chose to have him practice and meet chiefly as a defensive back, since it’s easier to incorporate a player into a place piecemeal on offense than it is on defense. That meant he’d be a full-fledged part of whatever the defensive plan was in a given week, while getting work in on offense to create packages for him to play in. Then, on Saturday, Colorado would use him in those packages, and then signal in routes to him otherwise,” Breer said.
Hunter will likely follow a similar path in the NFL, focusing primarily on defense while seeing limited snaps on offense. The teams at the top of the draft could explore using him in both roles, but it may take time before he fully adjusts.
Hunter is a game-changer, though. Having played over 700 snaps on both sides of the ball at Colorado, he thrives in the spotlight. Whichever team lands him will have to figure out how to maximize his talents, but his impact will be undeniable.