No one can accuse Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter of lacking confidence.
During an interview with former Titans GM Ran Carthon for CBS Sports, Hunter made it clear what position he wants NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to announce him as on draft day.
The Debate Rages on Which Side of the Ball Hunter Should Play
As the league debates what position Hunter should play next year in the NFL, there’s no debate about where the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner believes he should line up.
Travis Hunter on what position he wants to hear Roger Goodell say when he calls his name during the Draft 👀
"He better say Wide Receiver and DB” 😂
🎥 : @CBSSportsCFB pic.twitter.com/7QRp7956qW
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) April 4, 2025
Confidence aside, the Colorado Buffalo truly is a two-way star. He won the 2024 Heisman Trophy over Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty by 214 points after putting up 95 receptions, 1,258 receiving yards, and scoring 15 touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 35 tackles (24 solo) and recorded four interceptions with 15 passes defended.
The debate has been raging over where to use Hunter the most. Former NFL wide receiver Steve Smith thinks Hunter should focus on playing one position or the other.
“One thing I would say is when he was sitting down, he put his hands backward. What that indicates to a defender is that he was going to break down. So he needs to keep both his hands moving,” Smith said.
“But he is a young lad. As he hones in on his craft more and more in the league, he’ll be fine. That’s why, most likely, you have to play one position primarily so he can master his craft. Because you never want to be a jack of all trades and a master of none. They don’t play masters of none.”
Hunter’s coach at Colorado, and a two-way player himself, Deion Sanders thinks he can “easily” play both ways because of the pace and physicality of the modern NFL.
“The NFL is a slow game. You’re going to the huddle. And how’s the contact nowadays? Minimum. So that game is more conducive to him being successful than the college game. Because college is tempo, tempo, tempo, tempo,” Sanders said.
While former NFL running back LeSean “Shady” McCoy compares him to a McDonald’s deal. “You get two McChickens. One draft card, right? And you get two players. There you go,” said McCoy.
While it’s doubtful that Hunter would be asked to play 100 snaps per game, it’s fair to say that whichever team takes him is going to utilize him both ways.