Travis Hunter says NFL teams are clueless about his two-way talent: "They don't know what to do"

Travis Hunter, one of the most electrifying prospects in recent memory, isn’t just bringing elite talent to the 2025 NFL Draft — he’s bringing a non-negotiable demand. In his own words: “It’s never playing football again,” if the team that drafts him won’t let him shine on both sides of the ball. For Hunter, who just capped off a historic college career with a Heisman Trophy and three of the NCAA’s most prestigious individual awards, it’s not a publicity stunt — it’s his football identity.

Having led the Colorado Buffaloes in both receiving yards and interceptions last season, despite battling injuries, Travis Hunter proved that his versatility is not just flashy — it’s foundational. He logged a jaw-dropping 1,461 total snaps last season, a feat that underscores both his stamina and skill. Few players in modern college football have matched his impact at both wide receiver and cornerback, and now, Hunter is ready to carry that two-way dominance into the NFL — or not at all.

NFL teams have taken note, albeit with mixed reactions. Some view him as a unicorn with generational potential. Others, like Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, are skeptical. “I don’t know if there’s enough hours in the day,” Harbaugh said, casting doubt on the feasibility of a full-time two-way player in the NFL's ultra-specialized systems. His suggestion? Focus on one position and sprinkle in packages for the other. But for Hunter, that compromise simply won’t cut it.
This is not just about personal ambition — it’s about precedent and principle. Hunter followed head coach Deion Sanders, a Hall of Famer who himself dabbled in playing both offense and defense (and even baseball), from Jackson State to Colorado. Sanders’ belief in Hunter’s unique talent shaped the player’s career and reinforced his resolve. “It’s not like it hasn’t been done, but he’s done it at a whole other level in college,” Sanders told Yahoo. That trust wasn’t just about giving Hunter more playing time — it was about empowering him to define his own style of play.
NFL front offices now face a dilemma. Do they embrace Hunter’s rare dual-role ability, or do they force him to choose? According to Hunter, that decision could cost a team the privilege of having him at all. In meetings leading up to the draft, he hasn’t minced words. “I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball, so I really enjoy doing it,” he told CBS Sports.
There’s a deeper strategic layer at play here. The NFL draft is often described as a “sorting hat,” determining players’ fates based more on circumstance than capability. Plenty of top prospects falter because they land in the wrong system with the wrong coach. Hunter is well aware of this, and he’s doing what few rookies have the courage to do: asserting leverage before the ink dries on his rookie deal.
"It's a lot of teams that don't know what to do with me," Hunter told NBC Sports' Chris Simms. "They've seen me do it at the college level. Nobody actually thought I'd be able to do it at the college level, so everybody is amazed that I've done it for this long and I've done it at a high level. A lot of teams don't really know what they're going to do with me. I think first day in the building they're gonna see how much I can handle, and see what I can take in, and see how I perform."
If teams truly believe in maximizing potential, they’ll listen. They’ll recognize that Travis Hunter isn’t just a gifted athlete — he’s a transformative talent with a clear vision for his career. And if he follows through on his promise, refusing to settle for less than the full expression of his abilities, he may just change the way the league evaluates future two-way players.
As draft night nears, the question looms large: Will any team be bold enough to hand Travis Hunter the keys to both sides of the ball? One thing’s certain — if they’re not, they might never see him take the field at all.
Also Read: Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter to be enshrined during emotional Colorado spring game ahead of NFL dreams