“It’s never playing football again.” Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter has clearly stated what would happen if an NFL franchise doesn’t allow him to play both offense and defense. The very idea of being pigeonhole into one position may force Hunter to give up the sport he lives, breathes, and reads every day. Having snagged the Chuck Bednarik Award and Fred Biletnikoff Award given to the nation’s top defensive and receiver, Hunter has enough evidence on his resume. And obviously, there’s no doubt in his abilities. But the real question is, can he master both sides of the ball playing against the pros?

See, Hunter played 713 snaps on offense and 748 in defense last year. Caught 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 TDs. Meanwhile, as a cornerback, Hunter recorded 35 total tackles, 11 passes defensed, and 4 INTs. So, the numbers are there for NFL franchises to take a hard look at whether they really want Hunter as a two-way player. While the decision obviously lies with Hunter and the team, where he lands, Emmanuel Acho believes Hunter’s demands are disgraceful. Considering he was once an NFL linebacker, Acho chose to give Hunter a reality check on his exorbitant demand.

“I can’t speak to offense. I can only speak to defense. But in order to master defense, you have to focus on defense. Not in order to be good at defense. You can be good and not be a master…And it is an indictment and a disgrace to what it takes to master defensive football to assume a rookie can do it without focusing on it,” Acho said on FS1. Out of 32 NFL franchises, only two teams have shown clear interest in allowing Hunter to play as he prefers. 

Holding the No.3 overall, the Giants’ GM Joe Schoen said, “Travis is a unique individual..This guy can do it all. He’s a great kid. It would be hard to keep him off the field…Would not be afraid to play him on both sides of the ball.” Schoen may have sent a message of reassurance to Hunter’s demands. However, the only way Hunter lands in New York is if the Browns decide not to draft him. Having the No.2 overall, their GM, Andrew Berry, is also not scared of using Hunter’s two-way role. “We wouldn’t put a cap or a governor in terms of what he could do,” Berry claimed.

But he did say, “We would see his first home at receiver and his second home on the defensive side of the ball.” So, the Browns may opt to use Hunter explosively on offense. Then, give him snaps on the defense whenever an opportunity arises. Hunter’s incredibly safe hands and eagle-eyed vision to read the flight of a ball could reach greater heights in the NFL. Or he might master one side of the ball while the other remains a hobby to pursue sometimes.

And it’s not like Acho is the only one who disagreed with Hunter’s demands. Ravens HC John Harbaugh, who once coached a two-way player himself, also believes it ain’t feasible.

John Harbaugh’s wake-up call to Travis Hunter

Over the past 70 years, there hasn’t been a name who has perfectly pulled off playing both sides of the ball in the NFL. Only one player who saw little involvement as a dual-threat was Baltimore’s Patrick Ricard. In 2019, he played at least 100 snaps on both offense and defense as a fullback and a defensive tackle, respectively. His coach? John Harbaugh. So, anyone who would have had the leverage to speak on whether Hunter can do it or not—it’s Harbaugh.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how they do it, wherever he goes. I don’t know if there’s enough hours in the day for a player to be able to do that, and to have every detail locked down,” Harbaugh claimed. In his eyes, Hunter can do it, but not full-time. He feels that Travis and his future franchise will eventually have to settle for one position, while the other can just be part-time.

“You certainly could do it. I would think, on one side of the ball and then have some sort of a package on the other side of the ball, which is my guess is how the team will do it,” Harbaugh mused. The Browns have already stated they see him as a receiver first, then as a defensive player. So, Harbaugh’s claim could come true if Travis Hunter lands in Cleveland. If not, then maybe the Giants will exploit his skills to their limits. But whatever does happen, it’s pretty clear Hunter isn’t looking forward to being restricted on one side of the ball.