Travis Hunter has convinced coaches can be a two -way player

Nfl

“It has a truly unique set of skills. I don’t think there are many players you can compare with.”

By Michael Marot, Associated Press

February 26, 2025 | 6:00 am

3 minutes to read

Indianapolis (AP) – Travis Hunter Arriving at the annual research combination of NFL with a Heitan trophy CV, an invitation to work in two positions and ready to respond to all doubts.

The former Colorado star seems to have already completed a task this week in Indianapolis-convincing enthusiasts and general managers that he can become the first true player of the league in two decades and can even play special teams.

Hunter is more than a curiosity now.

“What do you do with a player like him? And where do you start it first? And where does it help you on all sides of the ball? “Said Tennessee coach Brian Callahan. “He can turn the points. Has a truly unique set of skills. I don’t think there are many players you can compare. “

Of course, some players were presented in special packages on both sides of the ball. Some of the Most Prominent Names on that List includes Mike Vrabel and Troy Brown of the New England Patriots, William “The Refrigerator” Perry of the Chicago Bears and Hall of Fame Cornerback de Sanders, Who Most Productive Offensive Season As a Receive the Dallas Cowboys in 1996.

Most consider Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik the last true two -way star. It started at LineBacker and along the offensive line for Philadelphia Eagles from 1949 to 1962.

Bednarik’s closest competitor would probably be Sanders or Roy Green, who was written as safety, caught 33 passes while playing in both directions and then led the league with 1,555 meters receiving in 1984.

But, unlike the 1997 winner, Charles Woodson, the only defensive player who won the most prestigious College football prize, seems that nothing is within the reach of Hunter.

“He can be whatever he wants to be, he is so talented,” said the general manager of Denver Broncos, George Paton. “We still work by that, you know, but I think it will play on both sides of the ball. I will only leave it to that. “

Hunter has definitely prospered in both places in college, first at the Jackson State in Mississippi before following his coach, Sanders, La Boulder, Colorado. In his last two seasons of the college, Hunter had 153 receptions, 1,979 meters, 20 TD, broke 11 passes and had four interceptions.

Combine the organizers offered Hunter a defensive back shirt, partly because it gives him the option to do field exercises on Friday and offense on Saturday-if he chooses.

The first indication he will do or both could come on Thursday, when he will be scheduled to talk to reporters.

Sanders is already doing public lobby for his star player, urging any team that does not intend to use Hunter as a corner corner and as a receiver to write it.

However, most directors who asked the questions on Tuesday seem to agree with Sanders’ evaluation that Hunter can excel at both, even if I think they should start at the corner like a rookie.

“Travis is obviously an exceptional talent. He can do everything, it’s not a secret, “said Carolina Panthers coach Dan Morgan. “Yes, he can play both sides of the ball. This is up to the team to decide this, any team that played it. “

A persistent question is how many snapshots can Hunter be expected at Pro without decreased production?

He kept relatively well at Colorado, where he recorded about 2,500 snapshots between 2023 and 2024. But he will face larger, stronger, faster in NFL, plus a more physical style, a regular 17 games and Even more games if his team is playoffs.

Few would argue that Hunter is the best athlete in this year’s project or a legitimate talent from top-in-Cini, but everyone is trying to figure out how big someone will go with Hunter’s talent in which the quarters They tend to be the first choice, the second one you choose last year the first three elections.

This could be again in case of Tennessee, Cleveland and New York Giants that have the first three selections with each looking for new quarters of new franchises.

“I think the quarters have a kind of blocking on this or maybe a great passage pass,” said the general director of the Bengali from Cincinnati, Duke Tobin, when he was asked about a reserve non-fact that is the general selection. “Or maybe a guy who plays six positions like the one in Alma Mater (Colorado). We’ll see. “

However, with the third year, Levis will still be on the list Titans, Callahan and general manager Mike Borgonzi will exclude nothing. Even taking Hunter, who could fill two holes in their reconstruction effort.

“He’s a special player,” Borgonzi said. “I was watching him and I do not know if there is someone who actually did what he did in modern football, playing both offenses and defense during a season. He is definitely a special player. “