Even at the summit, the goalposts keep shifting, and Travis Hunter is finding that out firsthand. Hunter stands out for his exceptional abilities, whether it’s ending Colorado’s 30-year Heisman drought, a feat only shared with Rashaan Salaam, or showcasing his rare talent as a two-way player. Despite that, there is still scrutiny surrounding his two-way capabilities. The decision to project him as a cornerback at the Combine has only fueled doubts. Now, an NFL analyst just moved the goalposts on Hunter’s two-way dream, and it’s looking real foggy for him.

Many scouts and analysts believe that Travis Hunter’s whole two-way college thing might not fly in the NFL, because of the league’s crazy demands. Just like the NFL Combine reports, they’re trying to pigeonhole him as a CB. Even NFL Draft and CFB analyst Ryan Roberts is on that train, hitting X with a reality check: “I’ll be in the minority… but I don’t love Travis Hunter as a wide receiver prospect (still good, but not top 5 pick good). All-Pro upside at cornerback, imo.”

Now, if you check the numbers, Roberts’ take kind of makes sense. In 2024, Travis Hunter was a beast on both sides, with 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense, and 36 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes defended on defense. He’s like a cheat code from NFL Street, switching positions like it’s nothing. But get this: back in high school, recruiting services had him pegged as a cornerback first. PFF backs that up too. That season, Hunter had the third-highest coverage grade and ninth-best passer rating allowed. And his interception skills? Off the charts. Seven picks and 17 pass breakups in two years? He’s pretty much NFL-ready from day one.

Sure, he’s a great cornerback, but let’s not sleep on his wide receiver skills. Remember the 2022 Celebration Bowl at Jackson State? He wasn’t just there; he was making things happen. Like, down to the wire, clutch plays. Fourth quarter, Shedeur Sanders throws him an 18-yarder for the lead. Then, with time ticking down, he hauls in a contested 19-yard touchdown in the end zone, forcing overtime. That’s not just luck; that’s pure talent under pressure.

Fast forward to Colorado’s season opener against North Dakota. Shedeur’s throwing his way, and Travis Hunter’s just torching the defense: seven catches, 132 yards, three touchdowns. Route running, hands, playmaking—it’s all there. He’s not just versatile; he’s a legit star on both sides of the field. And here’s the kicker: he did all of this while playing a ton of defensive snaps also. How many people do you know can do that?

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Everyone’s comparing him to Charles Woodson, the only other two-way guy who got major hype. But NFL scouts are hesitant to put him in that top-5 pick conversation. Abdul Carter, Will Campbell, Tetairoa McMillan—those are the names getting thrown around. Teams want playmakers like Ashton Jeanty, not necessarily two-way guys. And history’s not on his side either; no wide receiver’s gone No. 1 since Keyshawn Johnson in ’96.

But then you’ve got Urban Meyer, who’s like, “I’m taking Travis Hunter.” Straight up. On The Triple Option podcast, he said, “In my lifetime, very few can do what he can do. I stood next to the guy… watched him. Obviously, we covered him quite a bit. I probably would play him both ways and invest in that guy. He’s a good person.” Meyer’s seen some generational talents, and he’s convinced Hunter’s something special. And guess what? Hunter’s still got surprises up his sleeve.

Travis Hunter reveals the possible 3rd position he could play

Opinions on Travis Hunter’s NFL position vary widely. Former GMs, players, and analysts struggle to reach a consensus on where he would fit best at the next level. But Hunter’s recent claim proves that you can’t really predict this guy. In a light-hearted moment on his podcast, Hunter joked about adding ‘quarterback’ to his resume. “I’d play quarterback. I could throw the ba-l, actually, so I’ll play quarterback. I could be a QB.” A three-way player? That’s next-level stuff, totally unheard of.

Hunter’s got skills for days. Shedeur Sanders probably never even dreamed how sweet it’d be to have Hunter as his backup QB in college. Their time at Colorado? Perfect. No QB competition, just two guys boosting each other’s NFL Draft stock. Bottom line, it was a win-win, way better than any scenario where they were battling for the same spot.

Right now, mock drafts are pretty consistent: Hunter’s going top six, no question. Lots of chatter about the Raiders, but most folks think the Giants grab him at No. 3, giving New York a seriously unique player. Whether they see him as a corner, a receiver, or both, one thing’s for sure: Hunter’s an early pick, period.