Former Colorado Buffaloes standout and reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter polarized the nation last year as a wide receiver/cornerback hybrid. Some argue that his collegiate success cannot be replicated in the NFL, while others believe he could become the NFL’s version of MLB’s Shohei Ohtani, who won the NL MVP last season due to his outstanding performances both as a pitcher and a batter. One person well-acquainted with playing both ways in the NFL is Hunter’s college head coach, Deion Sanders, who played both of Hunter’s positions during his time with the 1996 Cowboys.
Sanders has a strong opinion on how any team that drafts Hunter should utilize his dual skills. He expressed this view during an appearance on NFL Network, according to Pro Football Talk. “He doesn’t know any other way,” Sanders stated. “What else would he do, just sit there by the water cooler while the offense is getting their butts kicked, and you’ve got the best receiver probably on your team over there with the coach waiting for his turn to go back on the field? That doesn’t make sense to me. Just because a person hasn’t done this in the majority of the NFL, don’t say what another man can’t do.”
Sanders emphasized that Hunter will work diligently to master both sides of the ball, highlighting his passion for the sport. “Travis Hunter loves the game. He’s not in like with it; he’s in love with the game. He doesn’t care about the accolades he possesses; this guy loves to play football.” In fact, Sanders claims Hunter is already the best two-way player the sport has ever seen. “The best, not one of the best,” Sanders asserted. “The best that ever did it.”
