Woah! The 2025 NFL draft is thickening for Colorado Buffaloes dual-threat, Travis Hunter. The Buffs’ two-way star has proved himself enough in the past season. With this, he had the perfect ending of his college football chapter, wrapping it up with the Heisman Trophy. His draft stocks did take a hit for his comment on baseball legend Shohei Ohtani, but he whitewashed his image, giving his blood, sweat, and tears in the weight room. However, Travis’ dual-threat abilities keep bugging the scouts. For the ones who is yet to find an answer to that, the GOAT, Nick Saban, helped them to find clarity. And yes, Travis’ rival, Abdul Carter, is also in the scene.

Hunter played both CB and WR extensively at Colorado, earning All-America honors. But maybe that’s not enough. As many are under the notion that it is no cakewalk to maintain a high level on both sides of the ball in the pro leagues. Hunter is expected to be the No. 2 overall pick, going to the Cleveland browns. However, the Browns’ GM, Andrew Berry, has expressed confidence in the player as a wide receiver at the next level. As he said, “We wouldn’t put a cap or a governor in terms of what he could do. We would see his first home at receiver and his second home on the defensive side of the ball.” As Matt Harmon, the owner of the site Reception Perception, too, shared, “Fantastic three-level separator. Elite vs. man, zone, press. Rare catching ability. Should play WR.”  

Amidst this hoopla, Saban has come with a clear picture, warding off all the doubts. No, unlike Urban Meyer, he does not believe that Hunter should proceed with his dual-threat skills. Instead, the GOAT counts on the Buffs’ star for one simple reason — his ability to get into the end zone.

On April 24, NFL Draft content creator Ray G, quoted Saban in his tweet when asked about whether Hunter should play WR or DB. The ex-Alabama head coach replied, “Anybody who can score touchdowns is better than a guy who can play defense at any position.” And well, along with Saban, Hunter’s stats also do the talking. Hunter saw an incredible 1,458 snaps last season, and he posted great numbers: 96 catches, 1,258 yards, and 15 touchdowns at WR.

Well, this was not the first time that the GOAT believed in Hunter’s capabilities. Back in November 2024, he confessed how he had players who could play both ways but could not figure out how to get them to practice effectively. That’s when Hunter shared his routine with the former Alabama head coach:

“(Sanders) does a great job of letting us go 1s vs. 2s. So, if I’m going against the 1s on offense, I am going against the 2s on defense. But I’m putting 100% no matter who’s in front of me. And I’m not going to get tired. I just keep going and just be focused.” Heavily influenced by the player’s grit and going 100%, the GOAT gave Hunter a big thumbs-up. “That’s what great competitors do.” But at present, Saban’s share of the spotlight for the Buffs’ two-way star gets divided with Carter.

Abdul Carter goes up while Travis Hunter slips down the hype ladder

The fight for the second overall pick is likely going to be between Hunter and the Penn State EDGE – Abdul Carter. For instance, NFL Network’s Rhett Lewis picked Carter over Hunter. He said, “Sure, the Giants spent substantial draft capital in the trade for Brian Burns last year and the selection of Kayvon Thibodeaux at No. 5 overall in 2022. But in keeping the Eagles’ championship formula in focus, you can never have too many high-quality defensive linemen, and Carter is the best in this class.” In 2024, the young chap came with 43 solo tackles and 68 total tackles.

So, it’s obvious that he has gotten on the NFL hype train. In his first season at defensive end, Carter racked up a career high of 12 sacks. He played a key role in leading Penn State to the program’s first College Football Playoff berth. That landed him in direct comparison with the Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons. Both of them started at the linebacker position, continuing to grow Penn State’s “Linebacker U” brand. Already, the Penn State star has opened with Defensive Rookie of the Year odds of +400. This equals a 20% implied win probability. For the ones waiting for a clean chit from a legend, here came Saban. As Alabama insider Hunter DeSiver tweeted, “Nick Saban picks Abdul Carter to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.” 

His competitors are Michigan’s Mason Graham and Georgia’s Jalon Walker, who are tied for second at +600. Fourth is Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart at +800. And where does Travis Hunter stand in that list? Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Michigan cornerback Will Johnson are both listed at +1000 (9.09%). That one stung a little for the Hunter hype train.