Well, Travis Hunter’s CB vs. WR saga fuels nonstop debate, keeping him firmly in the CFB spotlight. With the Draft approaching, the story is shifting against his preferences, and his recent action isn’t helping him either. Raising the stakes, Hunter bluntly asserted that while Shohei Ohtani is great, football requires significantly more. Naturally, that set the internet ablaze, but through all the noise, looks like Hunter is finally getting the hype he deserves.

There has been ongoing speculation that Travis Hunter’s versatility as a two-way player may not transition well to the professional level due to the demanding nature of the NFL. However, Colorado Buff’s HC and Hunter’s mentor, Deion Sanders, has made it clear that conventional concerns do not apply to him. Hunter fully commits to excelling in both roles and remains a designated two-way threat, poised to unleash his talent.

And now, even insider Philip Dukes a.k.a. DukestheScoop is on board, doubling down on why Hunter can pull it off, saying, “People think that Travis is just a Colorado player who played a ton of man right, but they just think his ball skills are overshadowed by how good he is in zone – just because he can play stick and he can get inside your hill. When he gets into a system, and they know that they can really scheme it, and you’ve got guys who can help him more.” That’s a straight fact.

Remember his game against TCU Horned Frogs in September 2023? Travis Hunter’s proficiency in zone coverage was on full display. In a key moment during the third quarter, ss TCU got the ball to Colorado’s 4-yard line on a drive, Hunter anticipated the QB’s throw, intercepted a deep pass, and thwarted a potential scoring drive with a red-zone pick. While many focus on his exceptional man coverage skills, this play highlighted his effectiveness in zone coverage as well. In the right NFL system, his natural instincts will create chaos beyond just shutting down top receivers.

Dukes added more to it, saying, “Let’s say he plays next to a more rangy safety or he has a linebacker that can cover that deep third. Travis is going to be able to take more chances, and that’s what makes him great. When he sees something, he follows his nose and he says, ‘You know, I’m going to find the ball.’ That’s where Travis Hunter is at his best, and I think he’ll be able to do that more in the NFL.”  Travis Hunter thrives when he follows his instincts, and his 2024 performance proves it.

In Colorado’s overtime victory against Baylor with a score of 38-31, Travis Hunter showcased his exceptional skills by reading the play, swiftly moving in, and causing a crucial fumble at the one-yard line. This exemplifies what Dukes means when he describes Hunter as someone who ‘follows his nose and finds the ball’. Hunter’s remarkable performance didn’t end there, as he also made seven catches, gained 130 yards, and consistently excelled on both offense and defense throughout the season. NFL teams are witnessing a player like never before in Travis Hunter. But Dukes is not just rooting high over his two-way play but also pay!

Travis Hunter might get a big bag while turning pro

Well, Dukes isn’t just making Hunter’s two-way future strong but also delving into the ongoing money debate regarding his dual pay. Look, the NFL might face an unprecedented contract situation with him, leaving teams uncertain about how to value his skills. Typically, a franchise tag would establish a player’s salary based on their position, but Hunter’s versatility complicates things. But Dukes made it simple by making it clear that if he’s logging 70-75% of his snaps at CB, he deserves top-tier cornerback money.

And if he’s also taking 25-30% of the snaps at WR and producing, that’s real value — he should get a slice of elite receiver cash, too. Let’s be real: even the most elite CBs in the league don’t match him. Hunter’s extensive playing time, such as his 1,400 snaps at Colorado, compared to All-Pro Patrick Surtain II’s 1,100 on defense, highlights what he is capable of.

Given his combined CB1 and WR2 level of production, why compensate him like an ordinary player? If he produces double the output, why should he get an amount just like a regular player? Plus, Dukes is convinced that Hunter is going to have a long run as a two-way phenom, and he rests his case saying, “He’s going to be the first person ever that we see get paid the way he plays, literally plays, not just packages. This guy eventually will go both ways on the field, and I’m excited to see it, man. What a time to be alive.” 

Even the Tennessee Titans view Travis Hunter as an exceptional talent and aren’t limiting his role. As coach Brian Callahan, sitting on the No. 1 pick, made that crystal clear: “That’s very realistic… He’s a unique player. There’s not a whole lot of other players you could compare (to) what he’s done.” Translation? The Titans aren’t afraid to let him be himself. Callahan even suggested Hunter may begin at cornerback. And as offense? The opportunity is on the table. If a team is going to unleash Deion 2.0, it’s Tennessee. And now only time can tell about Travis Hunter’s two-way future.