The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Travis Hunter, electrified fans at Jackson State and Colorado, dominating as both a lockdown corner and dynamic receiver. And now, he’s ready to take his two-way magic to the NFL. But hold on — there’s a challenger in the mix. Yes, a Michigan prospect is making waves, claiming he’s got Hunter beat in at least one key area. Now, this could shake up the draft board. However, with Hunter projected as a top pick, all eyes are on the competition. But the question is: Will this rising star truly threaten his stock, or is Hunter simply in a league of his own?

Well, this Thursday, Michigan’s prospect, Will Johnson — title game MVP and lockdown CB — was asked on PFT live the big question. Does he feel overshadowed by all the Travis Hunter hype? His answer was nothing but confidence, as Johnson believes he’s the better corner. So, he is a pure, shutdown material. But he gets it — Hunter played both ways and stole the spotlight. Still, when it comes to locking down receivers, Johnson thinks he’s second to none. Now, could this shake up draft boards? Maybe.

As the Will Johnson hype train is picking up serious speed. Recently, NFL Rookie Watch just dropped a bold update, calling the Michigan star “SPECIAL 😳.” And the draft boards? They agree. As reports say, “Will Johnson is graded as CB1, sitting ahead of Travis Hunter on a ‘good chunk’ of early rankings.” Not only this, one NFL exec even put him in elite company, saying, “Johnson’s game as a prospect is ‘on par’ with that of Derek Stingley Jr’s and Sauce Gardner’s from the 2022 class.” To be honest, that’s rarefied air. And with his elite coverage skills and shutdown mentality, Johnson is making a serious case as the top corner in this year’s draft.

However, the NFL exec didn’t stop there and said, “He’s a carbon copy of Patrick Surtain II. Almost the exact same size and attributes. Best technical CB in this draft by far.” That’s elite praise. But the numbers? They back it up. Yes, zero TDs allowed in two seasons and a career passer rating of just 49.8. As of now, with stats like that, it’s no wonder Johnson is surging up draft boards. Because he’s not just good — he’s built for the next level.

And here, Johnson isn’t just letting the hype speak for him — he’s claiming the crown himself. Yes, when asked about Travis Hunter, he kept it respectful but confident, stating, “A lot of respect to him. He’s won the Heisman, did a lot of great things, but I know I’m the best corner in this draft. I’m gonna just wait until I get on the field and let my play do the talking.”

You know, that’s big talk from a big-time player. But now, with elite coverage skills and a lockdown resume, Johnson is ready to prove he’s CB1. However, Hunter is not far behind in this race. He is viewed as a WR by certain organizations and as a CB by others. Safe to say, Hunter considers himself to be both.

The open challenge of Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter is built differently. And when asked what position he expects to play in the NFL, he refused to be put in a box. You know, the former CU two-way star made it clear — he’s keeping his options open. And he said,” I did some meetings at receiver. I did some meetings at DB. So, it’s still up in the air.” To be honest, whichever role he plays, one thing is certain — he’s a game-changer.

But now, with Will Johnson rising in the draft conversation, Travis Hunter isn’t backing down. And he knows exactly what he wants — and he’s not afraid to say it. Furthermore, speaking from the Scouting Combine, he made his mindset crystal clear, saying, “They say nobody has ever done it, for real, the way I do it, but I tell them I’m just different. I’m a different person.” So, Hunter isn’t chasing comparisons, he’s setting the standard.

We all know Deion Sanders saw the vision before anyone else. As Jackson State’s HC, he was the only one who fully committed to letting Hunter shine on both sides of the ball. And Hunter delivered — big time. Safe to say, in the 2024 season, he racked up 688 snaps on defense and 672 on offense, proving he’s built differently. But for Hunter, the grind is just beginning. And he believes going two-way in the NFL will actually be easier, saying there will be ‘more breaks’ at the next level.

So, he said with confidence, “I’ve been doing it for a long time, so I feel like I can keep doing it.” But the big question remains — will NFL teams let him play both sides? Only time can tell. But for now, with Will Johnson’s unexpected rise in the CB1 conversation, the Hunter vs. Johnson contest is just beginning.