Anna 
There hasn’t been an NFL Draft prospect quite like Travis Hunter in recent memory.
The Colorado Buffaloes’ two-way star — who became the first FBS player since 1978 to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, and three interceptions in a single season — is entering the 2025 NFL Draft with one firm condition: he won’t play football unless he’s allowed to play both wide receiver and cornerback.
“It’s never playing football again,” Hunter told CBS Sports. “Because I’ve been doing it my whole life, and I love being on the football field. I feel like I could dominate on each side of the ball.”
Hunter, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, played a staggering 1,484 snaps in 2024 — 713 on offense and 748 on defense — the most by any FBS player in a season since at least 2017. He finished the year tied for second in the nation with 15 touchdown catches, ranked fifth in receiving yards (1,258), and collected four interceptions along with a forced fumble.
His unique talent has made a powerful impression on NFL teams, none of which have reportedly objected to his desire to play both ways. And Hunter doesn’t lack confidence that he can handle the grind at the next level.
“I just feel very confident in myself,” he said. “I got a competitive spirit that I can do whatever I put my mind to, and I feel like I can do it.”
Learning from the Best
Hunter credits Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders — his college head coach — for molding him into a top-tier cornerback.
“It’s been a blessing learning from the best to play that position,” Hunter said. “Just him telling me to be where my feet are and enjoy every moment. You only get to do it one time.”
Sanders, a two-sport star who famously played cornerback and wide receiver in the NFL, has publicly backed Hunter’s two-way aspirations, saying, “He is built for this.” Sanders believes the slower pace of the NFL — with an average of 35.5 seconds between plays compared to 31.8 in the FBS — makes two-way play more feasible.
Cleveland Connection?
Hunter could be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Cleveland Browns — who hold that pick — have shown significant interest. Owner Jimmy Haslam, GM Andrew Berry, and head coach Kevin Stefanski all attended Colorado’s Pro Day, with Sanders hinting that either Hunter or former Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders could be Cleveland’s selection.
While Berry said the Browns view Hunter primarily as a receiver, he also acknowledged Hunter’s rare versatility.
“In terms of Travis Hunter; cornerback or receiver, the answer is ‘yes,’” Berry said at the NFL Combine. “He can play both and I think that’s what makes him special.”
Hunter kept things open-ended in response.
“It’s not up to me,” he said. “When they call my name, if they call my name, then we’ll figure that out.”
Backing Shedeur Sanders
Hunter also threw his full support behind quarterback Shedeur Sanders, calling him “the best quarterback in the draft.”
“He don’t fold under pressure, he is very accurate,” Hunter said. “He’s going to do the right thing with the football… you shouldn’t have to argue and talk about it.”
Living the Dream
Draft day in Green Bay will be a milestone moment for Hunter. He won’t be fishing like Joe Thomas famously did — though he describes himself as a “goofy kid who loves football and loves to fish” — but he’ll be in attendance to walk the stage and become the first NFL player in his family.
“It’ll just be a blessing,” he said. “My little siblings look up to me, and they know their big brother is doing everything that he put his mind to.”
That mindset also landed him a creative brand deal. Hunter recently partnered with Snickers Ice Cream to launch the “Two-Pack,” a combo of an ice cream bar and chocolate bar symbolizing his dual-threat ability.
“It’s one ice cream bar for me being a receiver, and the chocolate bar for me being a corner,” he said. “You get the best of both worlds in one packet.”
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