Travis Hunter is sure a huge inspiration! Well, not just his fans look up to him, but even players on his rival team like Ohio State also do. The latest fanboy to join the list is Ohio State’s elite defensive star Caleb Downs. 

Like Hunter, even Downs wants to be a two-way star, which has made him a big fanboy of the Colorado Buffaloes phenom. Well, now make way for the Buckeyes’ new two-way star in the making! 

In an interview with 247Sports on August 21st, Downs revealed his ambition to play on both sides of the ball for Ohio State. He confidently stated, “I definitely take [playing two ways] seriously.” Now, this isn’t just mere words! Downs has also run the ball and returned kicks way back in Mill Creek school days. He shared, “I have an idea of what it would be like because of high school. I played a lot of plays there.”

Now, it’s quite rare for a college football player to excel at both offense and defense. But Hunter has laid down the path for Downs. In Hunter’s admiration, Downs said, “Travis (Hunter) is doing that at an elite level. I don’t think anybody has done that in a while. I commend him for that. He’s in elite shape to do it.” However, Downs mentioned that he wouldn’t try the two-way approach in every game, hinting at a limit of about “10 snaps” per game.

Even speculation is growing that Downs might see some offensive action this season, possibly as a running back. His HC Ryan Day also added to the fire by mentioning that they discussed this possibility during the recruiting process. While this move sounds exciting, it’s also risky—something Hunter knows all too well.

Can Travis Hunter handle it all?

Travis Hunter is sure one of the best college football stars in the nation. Well, even his rivals can’t help but admire him. His skills have even earned him the No. 1 spot in PFF’s Max Chadwick’s CFB player rankings. However, Chadwick notes, “Travis Hunter is neither the best wide receiver nor the best cornerback, but the fact that he’s exceptional at both positions at the same time makes him the best player in college football.”

But while Hunter’s dual-role success is impressive, it comes with risks. Chadwick discussed this in a podcast back in July, bluntly stating, “I think Travis Hunter should stick to corner. He’s a potential first-round pick and could be a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver in the NFL. But focusing on one role could maximize his impact and longevity.” Now, NFL scouts typically prefer players who excel in a single position, which might explain why Hunter isn’t consistently ranked in the top 10 of early mock drafts. Plus, playing both offense and defense increases his risk of physical strain, and it’s unlikely he could maintain a two-way role week in and week out in the NFL.

While being a “two-way star” sounds fancy, seems there are some important notes for other aspiring players, like Caleb Downs, to consider here.