Deion Sanders is laying down the law: Travis Hunter is a two-way phenom, PERIOD! And if NFL teams try to pigeonhole him, he might just pull a “one more year” at Colorado. This Heisman contender and top 2025 draft prospect has been a beast on both sides—WR and CB—proving he’s not your average player. He even beat out Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty for the Heisman, showing he’s in a league of his own. So, will he be a shutdown corner or an offensive weapon? That’s the burning question.

Well, former Raiders GM Mike Mayock just reassured Deion Sanders—but not without sparking more debate. On a recent episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Mayock weighed in on Travis Hunter’s NFL future, addressing concerns about his two-way role. “I think most NFL teams are going to work him out as a corner. That will be his main job, but I think you’re shortsighted if you don’t think he can help on offense also, “said Mayock. His words may ease some of Coach Prime’s worries, but the big question remains—will the NFL truly embrace Hunter’s rare versatility?

Maybe with the right plan, Hunter could become an even bigger nightmare for opponents at the next level. We all know Hunter’s athleticism is undeniable. His 6-foot-1, 185-190-pound frame is built for speed, agility, and endurance, making him a rare two-way talent. But even with his elite skill set, there’s room to grow. Former Raiders GM pointed out an area for improvement, saying, “What I’d like to see happen—he was listed at about 181-182 pounds—I think once he gets into a situation where he’s playing predominantly one position, he’s on a nutrition and weight program, where he can concentrate on being a great corner, I think he’ll be around 190-195 pounds.”

Not only this, Mike Mayock couldn’t help but praise Travis Hunter’s conditioning—“I’ve never seen a better-conditioned athlete from the college tape I watched. I think you’ve got to find a package of plays every week for this kid on offense. One week, it might be six plays; another week, it might be 14 plays. But you’ve got to get him some touches on the offensive side of the ba-l—he’s just too special.” Mayock’s right—Hunter’s not just different; he’s special and has skills to back it up.

That being said loud and clear, Hunter’s going to the NFL Combine as a defensive back. That doesn’t mean he won’t do any WR drills, but it’s probably not happening. This just sets his Combine schedule—media, 40-yard dash, measurements, the whole deal. Whatever they call him, Hunter’s gonna show what he can do. But where he plays in the NFL? That’s still up in the air.

Hunter’s desire to play both ways could actually hurt his draft stock. NFL teams might hesitate to use a high pick on a player splitting focus, given the league’s physical demands and specialization. Plus, history isn’t on his side—WRs rarely go #1 overall, and no CB ever has. Now, what if a WR like Jeremiah Smith enters this year’s draft? Some scouts already see him as an “even better prospect” than Hunter. Field Yates weighed in, saying, “He’d [Smith] be right there, neck and neck with Travis Hunter,” while reminding everyone that WRs are typically the next priority after QBs.

Okay, so what’s Coach Prime’s take on this whole situation?

Deion’s message to NFL: let Travis Hunter play both ways!

Deion Sanders has always been clear: “Travis could definitely [play as a receiver and corner in the NFL]. I mean, he’s going to do that, or don’t draft him. Don’t do that, and I’m going to make sure of that.” And he’s standing by it. Recently, on The Dan Patrick Show, Sanders doubled down, calling Hunter a “generational player.” The message is loud and clear—whoever drafts him better be ready to unleash him on both sides of the field. And Sanders knows the game!

A rare two-way star himself, Coach Prime isn’t convinced the NFL will embrace Hunter’s versatility. “Coaches won’t allow it because they can’t fathom what they can’t do themselves,” he said. For Sanders, the issue isn’t Hunter’s talent—it’s the mindset of those in charge. He believes the league will try to box Hunter in, despite the fact that he’s thrived at Colorado, seamlessly flipping between offense and defense.

But to be honest, two-way players in the NFL are rare. Elite ones? Almost unheard of. But Travis Hunter isn’t your average player. He’s built to shatter the mold. Deion Sanders even brushed off physical strains or injury concerns about Hunter’s two-way potential in the pros, saying, “The pro game is actually slower than college. There’s more huddling, more time between plays. The NFL protects you more than people realize.” History says dominating on both sides is nearly impossible, but Hunter’s got the skill, endurance, and mindset to try. Just look at his college stats: 96 receptions, 1,258 yards, and 15 touchdowns at WR (averaging 13.1 yards per catch!), plus 36 tackles, 4 interceptions, and 4 passes defended at CB. If anyone can redefine the rules, it’s him.

Now, all eyes will be on Hunter as the NFL Scouting Combine draws near to see if teams will accept his versatility or if they will make him choose between defense and offense. Sanders has already demonstrated Hunter’s potential to the football world; will the NFL do the same?