NFL evaluator compares Colorado star Travis Hunter to all-time Hall of Fame two-way talent
While Colorado receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter is focused on helping the Buffaloes win and making his own Heisman Trophy candidacy a real thing, NFL evaluators are pondering his future. The incredibly talented playmaker could line up at receiver or cornerback at the next level, and evaluators are split on what's best for Hunter. We've […]
While Colorado receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter is focused on helping the Buffaloes win and making his own Heisman Trophy candidacy a real thing, NFL evaluators are pondering his future. The incredibly talented playmaker could line up at receiver or cornerback at the next level, and evaluators are split on what's best for Hunter.
We've previously looked at why receiver makes more sense for Hunter, but a comparison from ESPN NFL Draft expert Jordan Reid could change the game if it comes to fruition. Reid compared Hunter to NFL Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, and called Hunter his top overall player in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Here's what Reid shared on Hunter after a back-and-forth after Matt Miller said he also sees Hunter as more of an offensive star.
The player I compare Hunter to the most is Champ Bailey, the No. 7 pick in 1999. Sizing up Hunter against a Hall of Fame player is high praise, but their college careers are nearly identical. During Bailey's final season at Georgia in 1998, he had at least 100 snaps in seven games, playing both sides of the ball. He was known for his ball skills and toughness as a corner, and because he was consistently the best athlete on the field, Georgia wanted to use him at receiver, too. But when it came time to go pro, Bailey became a full-time corner. (He did have a rushing TD in 2000, though.) Ultimately, I see a similar scenario for Hunter.
A member of the All-Decade Team of the 2000s, Bailey made 12 Pro Bowls in 15 seasons, logging 52 interceptions and 908 tackles. Hunter is very good and has the high-end athleticism to be a great player, but Bailey's peak was probably higher than what Hunter can reach, and that's not a slight.
Could Travis Hunter Play Both Ways in the NFL?
Both Reid and Miller agreed that outside of a few snaps, it's not a worthy endeavor. The longer NFL seasons mean Hunter will need to protect his body from unprecedented wear, and none of Bailey, Charles Woods, Myles Jack, or Chris Gamble really had much production on offense. Being great at one position is hard enough, and Hunter is raw at cornerback.
Here's what Miller added:
Hunter is a special player, so betting against him wouldn't be wise. But let's look at this historically. Two-way players from college have not become two-way players in the NFL…So will Hunter be any different? Could he play a few snaps at cornerback per game while primarily playing wide receiver? Or vice versa? It's possible, especially early in his career. But it's not likely Hunter becomes a full-time Iron Man player.
I vote for keeping Hunter on offense, where he'll be an excellent No. 2 or solid No. 1 receiver early in his career. He's an amazing player, and it's a bit of a bummer that his best skill of being very good at two positions won't help his NFL outlook. Let's enjoy his legendary efforts while we can.
