In the coming months, the conversation around Travis Hunter’s NFL future will predominantly revolve around whether he should specialize as a cornerback or wide receiver.

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, after consulting with 13 general managers and head coaches, the overwhelming consensus is that Hunter should primarily focus on cornerback.

The majority of NFL executives praised Hunter’s “elite ball skills,” emphasizing that finding a shutdown corner like him is incredibly difficult. However, they all agreed that even if he starts as a cornerback, teams would certainly create offensive packages for him.

Hunter’s remarkable performance on both sides of the ball secured him the prestigious Heisman Trophy, along with various other accolades this season.

Offensively, he recorded 92 receptions for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns, while on defense, he achieved 31 tackles, four interceptions, 11 passes defended, and a forced fumble, often despite quarterbacks avoiding his side of the field.

Hunter’s ability to impact the game on both offense and defense is a rarity in modern football.

“They sprinkled me out there [on offense] when they needed a play. I didn’t do a whole lot of offense,” stated Charles Woodson, the 1997 Heisman Trophy winner who played as a cornerback, receiver, and returner. “Travis actually plays both sides of the ball. You can say he’s a two-way player that played defense, but I’m still the only defensive player to win it.”

However, playing both ways full-time in the NFL seems unrealistic due to the longer season and the intense physical demands of the game.

Furthermore, the complexity of the NFL’s game plans would make it a significant challenge for Hunter to master both offensive and defensive strategies. While colleges might restrict players from taking on such dual roles, Hunter benefited from the flexibility given by Deion Sanders at Colorado, producing impressive results.

It appears that Hunter is likely to be drafted primarily as a cornerback, with teams planning to create special offensive plays for him. This approach mirrors how Deion Sanders utilized his dual-threat capabilities throughout his illustrious NFL career, providing an excellent path for Hunter to emulate.