Travis Hunter is one of the most popular college football players after electrifying with his thrilling two-way capabilities throughout his time at Colorado. After a disappointing 4-8 season in 2023, the Colorado star carried his team to a successful 9-4 campaign in 2024 while winning the Heisman trophy.
Hunter is now projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is considered one of the best in this year’s class; however, Colin Cowherd believes his two-way ambitions can hinder his success in the NFL.
NFL Analysts Predict Potential Problems in Travis Hunter’s NFL Career
Many NFL analysts project Travis Hunter to be one of the top picks in this year’s draft (No. 2 pick in PFSN’s most recent 2025 NFL Mock Draft by Owain Jones).
However, Hunter’s ambitions to play as a two-way player in the NFL are a key topic of discussion. While the Colorado star and his coach, Deion Sanders, have made it clear that he will want to play both ways in the league, many people don’t think it’s a good idea.
During a recent appearance on his podcast, Colin Cowherd said that he sees Hunter as a player who can underachieve in the league as he’s likely to be drafted by a “bad team” and that playing both ways could become a hindrance and not a plus.
“I’m gonna throw Travis Hunter out as a player that could underachieve. I think this, coming to a bad team, he’ll have a lot of leverage, he’ll play both ways, I could see that being a problem.”
John Middlekauff discussed Hunter’s decision to enter the NFL Combine as a cornerback and how it could affect his future.
“He’s going to the Combine as a corner; now, all the top guys will be interviewed, they go to the podium. It’ll be interesting when he says, ‘I’m here as a corner, but I also plan on playing wide receiver,'” Middlekauff said.
“Travis Hunter is a player that could underachieve”@colincowherd & @JohnMiddlekauff on Travis Hunter’s NFL Draft stock pic.twitter.com/peHD6ylROe
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) February 24, 2025
“I do think it’s fair to say most high-level people in any industry are very singular-focused, and it is very difficult to spread yourself thin, especially when you’re factoring in youth. I mean, he’s very young. What he did in college was one of the greatest athletic achievements we’ve ever seen. The amount of snaps he’s playing.
“If you’re going to be a both-way corner/wide receiver, just playing corner alone — think of the wide receivers right now in the NFL. You’re chasing those guys for 60-70 snaps, he would be the No. 1 corner, and then you would try to play full-time wide receiver. I think it would be borderline impossible.”
The 2025 NFL Draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisc., from April 24-26.