University of Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter is one of the best cornerbacks, in addition to being a top wide receiver in all of college football.
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In view of his potential to play at the next level, Hunter's own coach Deion Sanders, who also dabbled on both sides of the ball, went on record saying Hunter has what it takes to play both offense and defense in the NFL.
With that being said, five-time all pro corner Richard Sherman is less optimistic about this being possible.
Will Travis Hunter play WR or CB in the NFL?
Richard Sherman explains why the Colorado star is more fit to play CB instead of WR 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/riDI27zXjB
— St. Brown Podcast (@StBrownPodcast) September 23, 2024
"I think he goes as a corner just because receivers his size... He's not a special size, super dynamic route runner," Sherman said on the St. Brown podcast. "He's a great athlete and he's smooth so he can get it done. I'm sure if he focused on receiver he could be elite, but as a corner, he just looks natural. It's back to catching a ball and he's in position all the time. He's breaking right, he has a good feel for it, and it's so rare."
Sherman described Hunter at receiver as, "bland."
Richard Sherman and Amon-Ra St. Brown says Travis Hunter’s receiver skills are just “Bland” & “Solid”
🧐 Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/NlYYavWkCh
— GURU28 (@callguru28) September 24, 2024
The potential Heisman candidate didn't take these words in a positive light, as he responded on Instagram.
"Stop speaking on me," Hunter said. "Let me play football."
https://twitter.com/_mlfootball/status/1839116781262106866?s=46&t=XefkerHuIm6GM_ZXVMMI3w
Former NFL players, such as Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens and dual-threat QB Robert Griffin III, came to the defense of Hunter.
"I heard the most ridiculous take from Richard Sherman, that he didn't believe that he could do it [play both ways]," Owens said. "C'mon Richard, c'mon bro, don't do that man. For me that just smells like hate."
🔥 NFL HoF TO calls out @RSherman_25 and defends #12
"C'mom Man. That just smells like hate. Travis Hunter is that dude. He is that guy. To do what he's doing is exceptional. To me, Travis is better than Charles Woodson#skobuffs
📽️ @thebubbadub @TravisHunterJr pic.twitter.com/9D688GvWrj— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) September 25, 2024
Travis Hunter keeps showing that he can and he SHOULD play both WR and CB in the NFL FULL TIME.
Man had 7 catches for 132 yards and 3 TDS at WR AND played 43 snaps on defense making tackles and locking down his side of the field.
He is a UNICORN. pic.twitter.com/D580YECfS8
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 30, 2024
All in all, Hunter's ball skills prove to be good enough to where he will be able to find success as both a pass defender and pass catcher. The main concern may be having enough stamina and the risk of injury, but that doesn't seem to be a problem yet as Hunter has already played 532 snaps through four games, which is by far the most out of any player in college football.
Travis Hunter is just different 💪 pic.twitter.com/O5ggK4d5HC
— The Joel Klatt Show: A CFB Pod (@JoelKlattShow) September 23, 2024
In view of this more than likely being Hunter's last season in college, he certainly has given scouts more than enough to go off of. So far this year he has 37 catches for 472 yards, in addition to scoring five touchdowns. When looking at defense, he has 14 tackles and an interception this season.
Travis Hunter on people saying he can’t play CB and WR in the NFL 👀
“I’m just gonna continue to prove them wrong…Its a lot of haters, Even the top dogs hating on me”
“I want to prove them wrong more than I want to prove myself right”
🎥 : @YahooSports pic.twitter.com/oJ7dgaD1xs
— We Coming 🦬 (@SkoBuffsGoBuffs) September 19, 2024
Standing at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Hunter projects to be a top-5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and only time will tell if he can pull off being both an offensive and defensive player in the National Football League. As for now, fans can enjoy the show and appreciate being able to watch Hunter play the entire 60 minutes every Saturday.
Related: Deion Sanders Compares Shohei Ohtani To Michael Jordan And Tom Brady
