Travis Hunter’s season is nothing short of a wild ride: injuries, doubts, and the kind of ups and downs that test even the GOATs. However, one thing remains consistent about Travis: he stays locked in and determined when it truly counts. Despite facing setbacks and obstacles, he managed to transform the noise into fuel and accomplished the unimaginable: snagging the Heisman. Yet, beyond the glamor and excitement, there is always a deeper narrative. But what truly set this moment apart?

Well, what truly made that night perfect for Travis Hunter was his father, Travis Hunter Sr.’s, support and sacrifices, which pushed him up the stage holding one of the most prestigious awards. Moreover, his dad was the first person to congratulate him. Who needs the world when your world is out there supporting you? Even though Hunter’s dad couldn’t make it to the ceremony, he made sure his son didn’t feel his absence, and even Hunter reflects on the same emotion talking about his father on his Travis Hunter Show, saying,

“But you know, my dad called me at the ceremony. Yeah, he called me at the ceremony, so, well, he called Lanna at the ceremony… he was on the phone with both of us. She told me to come over, and we were talking to him. Yeah, it was dope. He was the first person to call me.” Travis Hunter’s dad’s contribution to his success is more than you can imagine. When it comes to his kids, Hunter’s dad has always put them first, even if it cost him his career.

Travis Hunter Sr. was supposed to play football for Kansas but had to leave his dream for his kids to be an active part of their lives. Now you can understand from where Travis Hunter gets all the precision and plays exceptionally. Yes, you guessed it right; it’s all because of his father.

However, in the moment of glory, there awaits an even more difficult stance for Travis: Will his desire to play as a dual threat in the NFL be successful, or will it only remain a dream for him?

Travis Hunter standing at a crossroads with two-way skills

Now let’s just be honest: isn’t there just a handful of people impacting the game in multiple ways, which turned their fate in football? One such name is Travis Hunter, who knows how to navigate all the difficulties. This dude won the Heisman, took his team to a bowl game, and now is also one of the top NFL draft prospects, all this is the result of his resilience, execution, and, most importantly, his two-way skills, which helped him throughout. But what’s the use when you can’t play that way in the NFL?

It’s a known fact that the NFL has a tough schedule, requires more blood and sweat, and is in the middle of all the stress, so playing both ways is delusional. But is it so? Travis Hunter owns his two-way skills, and even Cowboys legend Michael Irvin Jr. battled for Hunter’s abilities, saying, “If you’re not letting me play both ways, don’t draft me. I fully intend to play both ways in the National Football League.” This is his cutting-edge advice for Travis if he wants to play on both sides. But wouldn’t his season’s performance have secured it for him?

Talking about a handful of players with dual-threat abilities, one such name is Deion Sanders, and look where he is now. Moreover, even NFL Hall of Fame Champ Bailey draws a middle line over Travis Hunter’s aspirations and reality, saying, “So for Travis, it’s all about who his coach is in the NFL and how much they think is possible. No matter what you can do on the field, the head coach controls the schedule and how you practice. But I say all that, and it’s really not far-fetched that he’ll at least get a shot to try playing both ways.”

Now, when you say a player has two-way skills in the NFL, it kind of becomes an expectation for him to live up to, and even a single mistake can take over his whole career. Moreover, as Champ Bailey mentioned, it mostly depends on the coach and whether he wants to put that pressure on a player or not. So, for now, the question is still the same: Will Hunter’s two-way skills make it to the NFL or not?