Why Colorado’s Travis Hunter is an unprecedented NFL prospect
Well into my third decade of professionally evaluating college prospects for pro football, I can honestly say that I’ve never seen a player quite like Colorado’s do-everything dynamo, Travis Hunter.
Those mistakenly thinking this article is just another example of media bandwagon jumping, I’d ask you to remember this article from last September when I first evaluated Hunter — and immediately argued for his Heisman candidacy and future as an NFL first round selection.
One of several examples of his dominance this season came early on in a victory over UCF. Here is a brief recap: Hunter caught nine passes for 89 yards and a touchdown while recording a couple of tackles, a pass breakup and another jaw-dropping interception while alternating between wide receiver and cornerback. He was on the field for a staggering 128 of the game’s 143 total snaps from scrimmage.
Even prior to the game, UCF head coach Gus Malzahn spoke about Hunter’s unique versatility and dominance.
“He’s just an elite player, and it’s really, really impressive to see what he’s doing playing that many snaps,” Malzahn said. “Since I’ve been in college football, I’ve not seen it.
“When you watch him on film, he’s the best player on the film in all four games, and it’s not even close. So, yeah, he’s an elite guy.”
[Related: Travis Hunter is the best player in college football, and it’s not close]
Playing on both sides of the ball is, of course, nothing new for Hunter, who led the nation with 1,360 snaps played — 688 on defense and 672 more on offense. And it isn’t just that Hunter plays two positions, it’s that he plays both positions so well.
A remarkable case of quantity and quality
If Hunter were to focus on just one of the positions he plays, he is talented enough to warrant a top-10 draft selection. If teams feel that he is able to play both positions in the NFL as dominantly as he has for Colorado, he just might be the No. 1 overall selection — which is exactly where I placed him in my mock draft.
It seems ludicrous to suggest that Hunter can continue to play both positions in the NFL. Surely, he cannot play both sides of the ball as frequently against pro athletes as he has at Colorado. Opposing teams would intentionally exhaust him, forcing him to cover deep balls or running right at him to limit the damage he might be able to do when his club had the ball.
But there certainly could be unique packages or plays designed for him to play both sides of the ball. That’s because, from both a physical and instinctual perspective, Hunter is a unique prospect.
The ball skills and athleticism to play both ways
Don’t take my word for it. And don’t even rely on head coach Deion Sanders, who knows a thing or two about both two-way football players, and promotion. Listen to his offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmer.
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