“It is my honor to announce that the 2024 Heisman Award goes to Travis Hunter.” Just as these words were announced in the 2024 Heisman Award ceremony. The old sports historians were having a déjà vu moment in their homes. And why would they not? Travis Hunter earned that award by not only excelling as a wide receiver but also playing a crucial defensive role for the Colorado Buffaloes. That makes the feat very rare in history for two-way stars. Surely, this should guarantee Hunter at least a top 5 pick in the NFL Draft, right?
Well, not quite. But before that, hear this. The last time a two-way star was picked at 1st in the 1st round of the NFL draft was back in 1949. That’s almost ancient history. And mind you, there has been no player as complete as Travis Hunter since then. But then came the 2025 Mock Draft. Journalists and Analysts Paradise. The results were strikingly glaring. The mock draft put Hunter not at first but not even in the top 5 picks of the draft. But Rich Eisen, being as outspoken as he is, was having none of it.
Eisen, in his show (The Rich Eisen Show), literally screamed out a monologue at Hunter’s snub, “How the hell is he not the number one overall draft choice, right? If the Tennessee Titans think we are talking to him, we have gone through the sports science of it; our medical shows he’s completely clean, and by that, I mean there are no bumps, there are no bruises…”
BOULDER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 13: Head coach Deion Sanders embraces Travis Hunter #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes after his touchdown in the first quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Folsom Field on October 13, 2023 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
Eisen wasn’t done there. The degree of injustice to Hunter that he felt was astronomical. So, he continued. “There’s no broken bone when you were eight that we could see on our x-rays. You know, if you think he is ready to go, how the hell is he not the first overall pick? When you’re taking on the Chiefs, he wipes out their best receiver, and then you take on the rest of the league, and he’s your best offensive weapon. How is he not number one overall?”. Eisen screamed the words as the words came out of his mouth like a fire-breathing dragon.
Eisen also said how Travis could play a crucial role for the Titans in the long term because of his two-way abilities. But how good a player is he? Well, for starters, in the 2024 season, he recorded 96 receptions for 1,258 yards with 15 touchdowns. Furthermore, his defensive exploits as a cornerback took him to 35 total tackles and 11 passes defended. If that’s not something very massive for a player of his age, then I don’t know what is. But then another question surfaces. Can he play as a two-way star in as big a league as the NFL?
Can Hunter be a two-way star in the NFL?
Colorado Buffs’ No. 12 mastered his talents playing on both sides of the game in college football. However, without putting even an iota of his abilities, it’s fair to say that the NFL is a different ballgame altogether. Much faster, exotic defenses, tougher players, and you could be playing the 32nd team in the league, and some dude can still smack you. Naturally, one wonders: can he do it?
His HC at Colorado, Deion Sanders, thinks so. “Don’t draft him if you’re not going to give him an opportunity to play both sides of the ball. Because he’s going to be probably your best receiver, and you’re going to look like an idiot with your best receiver sitting on the bench. Or vice versa.” Sanders, being his coach, surely will feel inclined to see his pupil playing as a two-way star in a rare feat of history. But there are some people who don’t exactly share Sanders’ enthusiasm.
Todd McShay, the prominent NFL draft expert, acknowledged Hunter’s potential but saw him playing one position. “I think Travis Hunter, Heisman Trophy winner from Colorado,” McShay said. “Where are we going to play him? That’s the big question. Because I look at him right now based off of the type, and you would think it would be cornerback is his best spot … I actually think he’s a better wide receiver right now.” To be perfectly honest, the boy can literally play anywhere. Because at 6 feet 1 and 165 lbs, he can be exactly the explosive pace and catching weapon that a team needs. And, at the same time, he can also be the defensive prodigy the team needs. The verdict?
Well, it more or less looks like it would be an awful waste of talent if he doesn’t play both positions. But the first priority for him would be to land a higher pick in the actual NFL Draft in April. With teams like the New England Patriots (pick 4), who desperately need a receiver to pair with Drake Maye. Other teams like the NY Giants and Carolina Panthers are also being widely touted as favorites.
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