Travis Hunter is a unicorn in college football. The epic Colorado kid stunned the world with a captivating season and a once in 30-year- Heisman trophy a few weeks back; his insane speed, unique physique, and variety of unmatched skills, including the rare two-way ability, made him an absolute bona fide in Boulder. However, now it’s time to step up and spread his gift to a wider platform. The phenom played his last in the CU jersey this week in the Alamo Bowl against the BYU Cougars. It didn’t end on a good note as the Buffs lost by 36-14, but Travis had little time to whine as a lucrative NFL future is looming.

Concerning the mock draft, the one question that becomes a recurrent theme is: Will Coach Prime’s favorite boy nail as the CB or WR in his new gig? The answer is not glaring, but we can take the crumbs from Jeremiah Smith’s potential pick.

Jeremiah Smith’s draft discussion revealed crucial truth on Travis Hunter’s debated NFL role 

Teams are heavily split on whether Hunter should be a wide receiver or a cornerback in the NFL. Sure, the 21-year-old can achieve excellence at both positions simultaneously. His lofty collegiate stat carries the strongest testament to it. But then college football and the NFL aren’t the same. Fans envisage what he used to do at CFB with ease will be a heck of a burden in the national football league, leading to burnout and possible injury. So, it’s better to focus full-time in one position and an occasional contributor in the other. Hunter himself, however, wants to play both if he is given a chance. The crux of the debate? Where would Hunter be picked?

Well, did you see Jeremiah Smith’s performance against the Ducks? 187 yards, two touchdowns, plays after plays- it was like Will Howard and Jeremiah Smith were conversing on another level. Wherever Smith went, Howard found him. Long plays, short passes, whatever Chip Kelly dialed, Howard and Smith delivered. The Buckeyes’ WR had everyone declaring him an NFL pro- such was the brilliance. Naturally, you declare a freshman an NFL pro, the Draft comes into the picture. Just for argument’s sake- picture this scenario. Instead of 2027, Jeremiah Smith declares for draft in 2025. Where would he land? Mel Kiper was asked the same question on ESPN.

“He would be New England Patriots, that’s where he would be Drake Maye’s go-to guy. I mean, that would be the obvious one. Jeremiah Smith is a special guy. You thought, coming out, Ryan Williams at Alabama, another great receiver, heck of a player, but Jeremiah Smith is so big, so fast, so dynamic, he is uncoverable. You think you got him covered, you don’t. So, yeah, Jeremiah Smith, you know, Julio Jones, was like one of the comps. It’s all right there. Compare him to the great ones. He will be [great],” said Mel Kiper.

What do the Patriots have to do with this? Well, let’s update you about what’s going on in the bottom side of the NFL. As things stand today, New England will have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Since they drafted Drake Maye in 2025, they are unlikely to use the No. 1 pick on a quarterback. So, no Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward going no. 1 next year. Who is left? Our guy- the two-way star in the college football galaxy. Travis ‘Heisman’ Hunter. How would he fare if Smith is in next year’s draft? Field Yates has the answer.

“I will say this about Jeremiah Smith, though. He would be right there, neck and neck with Travis Hunter. I don’t want to lose sight of the brilliant player that Travis Hunter is, and the fact that he can do so at both positions, wide receiver and cornerback, makes him such a special, special guy,” Yates said.

We get Yates’ and Kiper’s excitement. But let’s take you through some facts. When was the last time a wide receiver was drafted No. 1? Remember Bill Clinton? It was during his presidency in 1996 when the New York Jets drafted Keyshawn Johnson. Even Julio Jones, the WR Mel Kiper compared Smith to, was drafted No. 6 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft. There you have it!

Another fact: a cornerback has never been drafted with the first pick. That’s where Travis Hunter comes in and why he is seen as a generational talent. Hunter put together 118 snaps per game, with 713 and 709 defensive and offensive snaps, respectively. The Paul Hornung Award winner is simultaneously a stupendous cover corner and a 1,100-yard wide receiver. But again, in the NFL, every force of the universe is saying yes to a future bestselling CB.

Hunter’s CB career seems to be nothing short of a  jet set 

The NFL fraternity is vouching for Hunter to become the most exceptional cornerback the NFL has ever seen in a decade. Former NFL vet Rod Woodson (defensive back) believes Hunter is a gem, but if he chooses to pursue both positions in the pros, it will turn into a fatigue point. Woodson pointed out that the level of supremacy the NFL demands would be tough to maintain in both roles for a single guy. So, if he sticks to the defense, he might be able to reach his full potential and become the next generational CB in the mix.

It’s not just Hunter’s impressive biltz and defenses that made Woodson come out with his point, rather he mentioned how the NFL is still good Corner Back deprived. So, if Hunter could fill the gap, he would be a highly touted legend in his own right for the years to come.

The majority cited Hunter’s elite ball skills as a game-changer. Teams will now have to pay attention and build some decent package for him as CB so that the typical ‘money talks’ won’t propel him to choose the alternative path.